The police are on the hunt for individuals accused of seeking to change of Malaysia's national flag during the Merdeka eve celebrations at Dataran Merdeka.

"This violates the federal constitution and the democratic process," read a statement on the national police headquarters Facebook page.

NONE The police said this was being investigated under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948 for doing, attempting, preparing or conspiring to do an act of seditious tendency.

An offence under this law carries a maximum jail term of three years, a maximum fine of RM5,000 or both.

The police are also on the lookout for individuals who stepped on photographs of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor at the same event.

The police this act was being investigated under Section 290 of the Penal Code for committing a public nuisance and Section 504 of the same law for causing an intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

Eyewitnesses urged to act

They have urged eyewitnesses to contact the Bukit Aman media centre if they have information to provide.

utusan malaysia janji demokrasi 020912 Yesterday, pro-Umno bloggers lambasted Janji Demokrasi participants over a photograph of several youths bearing flags that resemble the Indonesia and Singapore national flags.

The bloggers and Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia have blamed the act on the Janji Demokrasi organisers and accused its perpetrators of wanting to change the national flag.

Blogger Serigala Selatan has since emerged to claim responsibility for bringing two flags dubbed the Sang Saka Malaya , to the Merdeka eve celebrations.

According to the blogger, Sang Saka Malaya was a flag designed by Malay leftist groups prior to Independence in 1957.

He claimed that he had no intention of replacing the current Malaysian flag - the Jalur Gemilang - and merely wanted to remind the public of the contribution of other historical figures towards Independence.

Mooning incident

Meanwhile, another controversy has also erupted over the antics of a youth who was photographed mooning pictures of Najib and Rosmah.

This act is being investigated by the police under Section 509 of the Penal Code for a word or gesture intended to insult the modesty of the person.

NONE Upon conviction, an offender can be jailed for up to five years, fined or both.

Gabungan Janji, who organised their Janji Demokrasi rally at the same event, has disclaimed responsibility for the incident.

Working committee member Maria Chin Abdullah stressed that her organisation disapproves of the act.

On the night of August 30, an estimated 10,000 Janji Demokrasi participants defied a police ban on their rally and showed up at the Dataran celebrations to remind the people of Bersih’s electoral reform demands.

Their numbers swamped the regular Merdeka revellers, who were estimated at around 5,000.

Three teams set up

Meanhile, according to Bernama , three special teams have been set up by police to investigate three reports involving incidents at Dataran Merdeka, an attack on the PKR Jelajah Merdeka bus and on the contravention of the Peaceful Gathering Act 2011 by the organisers of ‘Himpunan Janji Bersih’ (sic).   

"We set up the special teams to investigate three incidents which took place during the celebration and based on pictures published by the media. We ask that the individuals involved come forward to give their statements,” said Bukit Aman CID director Mohd Bakri Zinin

He said police also urged those involved in stepping on the pictures of national leaders and showing their buttocks to come forward and give their statements to the police.    

"If they fail to do so, we will hunt them and act against them based on the existing law," he told a press conference at the Dang Wangi police contingent headquarters, Kuala Lumpur, today.    

He said the exhibiting of a new flag to replace the Malaysian flag was being investigated under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948, and the incident of stepping on the pictures of national leaders, under Sections 290 and 504 of the Penal Code.    

He said the incident of showing the buttocks towards the pictures of the national leaders was being investigated under Section 509 of the Penal Code.

On a police report lodged at the Tun HS Lee police station on Aug 29, Mohd Bakri said police were investigating the failure of the organisers of the ‘Himpunan Janji Bersih’ (sic) to give notice to hold the gathering on Aug 30.    

Meanwhile, police had recorded statements from five witnesses including a bus driver on the attack and splashing of paint on a bus belonging to the opposition in Kota Baharu, yesterday.    

Mohd Bakri said the case was being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing vandalism, and police urged those with information on the incident to contact the nearest police station.