DAP today said that it would sponsor a giant Jalur Gemilang to be displayed at a shop in Penang that recently came under fire for allegedly hoisting the national flag upside down.
DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook said the flag would be installed this evening so that the public could see that it had been put up correctly.
In a statement, he also said that Penang DAP members would distribute 831 Jalur Gemilang flags for free as a show of unity during the Merdeka Day celebration, should anyone attempt to disrupt the peace at the shop’s premises.
“This is an act of outright bullying that is completely unacceptable. Bullying must be opposed not only in schools but also when it targets senior citizens,” he said, criticising certain quarters for threatening to stage a protest at the shop if charges were not filed.
“However, in dealing with such immature behaviour, we must demonstrate greater rationality and adopt peaceful, respectful approaches.”
Loke also slammed the same group of people for pressuring the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to prosecute the shop owner, calling it “an act of interference and an attempt to influence prosecutorial decisions without due consideration”.
“The AGC must be given the freedom to make decisions without political pressure,” he said.
Although he did not name anyone, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh yesterday warned that he would hold a protest at the shop if the owner was not charged by Thursday. He also said that he would “teach this ‘Ah Pek’ how to correctly put up a flag” himself.
The 59-year-old hardware store owner was arrested last week after he was filmed holding the flag upside down in a video which went viral.
He said it happened while he was measuring an iron pole and that he corrected the mistake immediately, but was still arrested before being released on bail.
Acting Penang police chief Alwi Zainal Abidin said the investigation paper would be referred to the deputy public prosecutor for further action.
Penang DAP chief Steven Sim also pledged that the state chapter would be on the ground to protect peace and harmony.
“The issue of the upside-down flag in Kepala Batas has been handed over entirely to the police to investigate and manage according to the law. There is no space for any third party to exploit or inflame the situation,” he said in a statement.
“If anyone comes to threaten or harass Penang residents over this matter, Penang DAP will stand with the people and greet the provocateurs by handing out the Jalur Gemilang as a symbol of unity and love for the country.”
