Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said it is still uncertain whether it was indeed Umno members who were behind the torching of a DAP flag in Penang.

Met by reporters in Kuala Lumpur today, Tengku Adnan said it was not known   who were the culprits behind the incident.

"I don't know who did it. Some have accused Umno of being responsible for it, but we don't really know," he said.

However, Adnan, who is also federal territories minister, said if it was proven that Umno members were behind the incident, action would be taken against them.

"If Umno members were behind it, we will take action against them because this is not the way of Umno.

"But some quarters could have used Umno's name. So what's important is that I leave this to the police," he said.

The DAP flag in question was torched at the ground level of the Komtar complex  which houses the Penang state government offices, yesterday.

The incident happened when some 50 Umno members and supporters led by Penang Umno secretary Musa Sheikh Fadzir went to submit a memorandum to the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) on the council's decision to tear down the Penang Menara Umno's signboard.

Report lodged

DAP today lodged a report over the burning. The report was lodged by Penang DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) assistant secretary M Satees at the Jalan Patani police station.

Elaborating further, Tengku Adnan expressed hope police would take action against the perpetrators, especially those who aimed to incite hatred among the people.

"Malaysia is a multi-racial, multi-religious country. We have become successful because we are united in diversity.

"I hope no quarter aims to see the unity we have had so far be destroyed which will lead to conflicts," he said.

The BN secretary-general added this was especially so since there were many irresponsible quarters who would cook up false stories to incite hatred.

"Our hair may be black but what's in our hearts is different," he said.