From Clement Stanley
I have a few questions for Dr Akmal Saleh, the Umno youth chief, who has for the past few days projected himself as an uncompromising patriot.
And I hope these questions will prick his conscience and those in the Umno hierarchy who have come to his defence when he threatened to organise a class to teach an “apek” on proper flag etiquette.
First, who is more treacherous? Five senior Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation officers who allegedly sold classified information to smugglers – or the “apek” who accidentally hung the Jalur Gemilang wrongly for a short period of time?
Second, the five MDIO officers – guardians of national secrets who now stand accused of betraying their uniforms and their oath of allegiance to the country – allegedly earned millions a month and will not be paying taxes. In comparison, the owner of the hardware store may earn a measly sum and would be paying taxes. So who is more patriotic here?
Third, why is it that Akmal and his mob of Umno Youth members have not gathered to voice their displeasure? Surely the sale of state secrets is worse than displaying the flag wrongly?
Fourth, why is so much attention placed on a common man but there is only silence when it comes to offences by men in uniform? Should they not be granted the same attention, if not more? Why is no ultimatum given to the authorities on this?
Fifth, is Akmal, like most bullies, actually afraid of men in uniform? It would explain why he would go after an elderly man and not those in uniform.
If Akmal was really patriotic, he should have made their feelings known against the five senior MDIO officers on the onset of their detention. Selling out the country, as it is alleged to have taken place, is an unforgivable crime.
You have just bitten the hands that feed you.
Clement Stanley is an FMT reader.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
