The Attorney-General’s Chambers has reminded the public not to take matters into their own hands in instances of protocol breaches regarding the Jalur Gemilang.
The AGC stressed that any offence related to the improper installation or display of the national flag that may cause confusion, misunderstanding, or public anxiety may be subject to legal action.
In a statement today, it cited incidents such as the Jalur Gemilang being installed upside down at a shop in Kepala Batas, Penang, and at a school in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan.
It also highlighted the incomplete display of the Jalur Gemilang in the 2024 SPM examination results booklet, and on the official social media accounts of the Sin Chew Daily, Kwong Wah Yit Poh, and Harian Metro newspapers.
The AGC stressed that all complaints or information about such incidents should be forwarded to the appropriate authorities for action.
“The AGC also wishes to remind the public not to take matters into their own hands against anyone suspected of being involved in such acts,” it said.
“This includes raiding the premises of the suspected parties, circulating personal information or making baseless accusations on social media, and inciting provocation or issuing threats against individuals or organisations involved.”
It said the public should not take over the role of the authorities, such as by ordering the removal of the national flag or seizing related materials.
The AGC’s statement comes after more than 200 people led by Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh gathered near a hardware shop in Kepala Batas, Penang, yesterday after the shop’s owner was investigated for hanging the Jalur Gemilang upside down outside his premises.
While the shop owner said it was an unintentional mistake which was quickly fixed, Akmal condemned the man and threatened to give him a “class” on hanging the national flag. He also threatened to hold a protest if the man was not charged in court by yesterday.
Although DAP sponsored a giant Jalur Gemilang for the shop, Akmal said he would still turn up outside the premises with others to check if the flag was displayed correctly.
The group gathered at the shop yesterday afternoon despite police advising against it. The gathering saw several shops in the area close earlier than usual as a precautionary measure.
In April, several Malay-rights activists protested outside the headquarters of Sin Chew in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, after an illustration on the front page of its April 15 paper depicted the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent moon.
Perkasa Youth chief Zool Amali Hussin and several others said they rejected Sin Chew’s apology following the publication error, and urged the Chinese daily to sack two of its senior editors allegedly responsible for the mistake.
