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The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Flag gathering sees tensions but no violence
Making a stand: Dr Muhamad Akmal (centre) leading members of Umno Youth, Bersatu and PAS representatives as they march towards the barricaded shoplots in Kepala Batas. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star KEPALA BATAS: The Umno Youth-led gathering outside a hardware shop over a flag issue in Bertam here passed without major incident, except for a brief war of words between the group and representatives from Lawyers for Liberty (LFL). Tensions flared when several LFL representatives held placards reading 'Jangan Membuli' (Don't bully) and 'Jangan Bersikap Zionist' (Don't behave like a Zionist), prompting a shouting match and name-calling. Umno members began taunting the LFL group, leading the police to step in and order both sides to disperse, which they did. Speaking after the gathering, LFL director Zaid Malek said the show of force by Umno was unnecessary, given that the flag incident was an honest mistake. 'His (Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh's) call to charge the hardware shop owner amounts to bullying and harassment,' he said. 'He holds power and influence, and such actions send the wrong message. 'Because of this gathering, all the shops in the row had to shut down for the day, and police had to barricade the road. 'It's an overreaction that affected the local community.' The gathering was sparked off after the hardware shop owner, Pang Chin Tian, 59, was filmed holding a pole with an inverted national flag. He was arrested following accusations of improperly displaying the flag and has since been released on police bail. On Tuesday, Penang DAP erected a giant Jalur Gemilang at the shop and announced plans to mobilise its members to 'defend' the business premises. Earlier, police cordoned off the service road directly in front of the shop to prevent any untoward incident, resulting in the 30-minute gathering taking place on the adjacent main road – Jalan Datuk Haji Ahmad Badawi. Dr Muhamad Akmal led chants of 'Merdeka' and 'Sayang Malaysia' as the group marched towards the barricaded shoplots that saw heavy police presence, including personnel from the Federal Reserve Unit. He was joined by Bersatu and PAS members, who also sang the national anthem. Dr Muhamad Akmal said the gathering was peaceful and driven by a patriotic spirit. 'We are not here to bully anyone. We want to make it clear that such incidents cannot happen. Our flag is sacred. 'We are here to send a strong message that mistakes like this are unacceptable. 'The flag must never be hung upside down,' he said, adding that the gathering was not about politics or race. Several Penang DAP leaders and members were also present, distributing Jalur Gemilang flags to passers-by and motorists as they waited for Dr Muhamad Akmal to arrive. Among those present were Penang DAP vice-chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin, assistant secretary H'ng Mooi Lye, and Chief Minister's special coordinator Lay Hock Peng. All 10 shoplot operators along the stretch had closed as early as noon on police advice to avoid any untoward incidents. Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said investigations are ongoing, with 38 police reports lodged nationwide – 17 in Penang and 21 in other states. He added that the investigation under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 also covered individuals who recorded and shared the footage.
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Umno Youth chief leads group of over 200 in march on barricaded shop lots
KEPALA BATAS: Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh led a group of over 200 people in a march towards barricaded shop lots here, saying the group came in peace. Chanting "Merdeka", "Sayang Malaysia" and "Pertahan Jalur Merdeka", the group marched about 1.4km to the location with many waving the Jalur Gemilang. "We are not here to bully anyone. We are here to make it clear that there cannot be such incidents as our flag is sacred. "We are here to send a clear message that we cannot accept any form of mistake like this. "It cannot be hung upside down," he said at the gathering along Jalan Datuk Haji Ahmad Badawi here on Thursday (Aug 14). The planned gathering followed a recent controversy, linked to an upside-down Jalur Gemilang incident at a hardware store here. Dr Akmal said the group represented Malaysians and not any political party. "It is not a question of politics or race but it about respect for our country, Malaysia," he said. The group of over 200 people, including representatives from Bersatu and PAS, then sang the national anthem. Just before the gathering ended, there was a war of words between the Umno representatives and Lawyers For Liberty (LFL) director Zaid Malek, who turned up with placards saying "Jangan Membuli" and "Jangan Bersikap Zionis". The group then needed to be calmed down and were told to disperse after Zaid's group put down their placards. Zaid said it was only fair that he was allowed freedom of speech like the Umno representatives. He said the fact that the group had turned despite the flag placement being an honest mistake was an act of intimidation. "His (Dr Akmal's) call to have the hardware shop owner charged amounts to bullying and harassment. 'They hurled all sorts of accusations at the hardware store owner about the upside-down flag incident. "Of course, the owner would be scared," he said. Zaid also asked why they did not gather in Terengganu where there was also an issue with the Jalur Gemilang. 'No one is free from committing mistakes. The store owner has apologised and had no intention to commit the mistake. 'We are here to defend him from any form of harassment,' he said. There was strong police presence throughout to control the crowd and the road leading to the store were also barricaded. Businesses were also forced to close early as a safety precaution. Meanwhile, local DAP leaders handed out Jalur Gemilang as they waited for Dr Akmal and his group to turn up. Penang DAP vice-chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin, Penang DAP assistant secretary H'ng Mooi Lye and Penang Chief Minister's Special Coordinator Lay Hock Peng, among others, turned up early to distribute food and Jalur Gemilang to passers-by. On Saturday (Aug 9), hardware shop owner Pang Chin Tian, 59, was arrested by police following accusations that he had improperly displayed the flag in front of his shop. He has been released on police bail. Pang said he would accept any punishment over the case, which he described as unintentional and regretful. On Thursday, Bukit Aman advised all parties to cancel the planned gathering in Bertam, Kepala Batas to avoid conflicts and ensure safety. Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the police viewed seriously any issue that could threaten public safety and well-being. "In the interest of preserving community safety and preventing confrontations between groups, we advise that the gathering on Thursday be called off," he said. The gathering is believed to be linked to a recent controversy over an upside-down display of the Jalur Gemilang that went viral on social media. The IGP said investigations are ongoing, with 38 reports lodged nationwide, 17 in Penang and 21 in other states. "The probe also covers action against individuals who recorded and shared the footage under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. "The investigation paper was submitted to the Deputy Public Prosecutor on Monday (Aug 11) and is now under review," he said.
