COMMENT | Four people were arrested recently in Taman Tun Dr Ismail Kuala Lumpur for taking down BN flags - one of which was featured in a famous viral video. The incident in that video took place very near to where I live.

There are times when it is just to disobey unjust laws. I very much doubt, however, that these four individuals actually even broke any law.

Let us start by scrutinising the section of the Penal Code under which these individuals were arrested, Section 427, which reads:

“Committing mischief and thereby causing damage to the amount of twenty-five ringgit.

427. Whoever commits mischief and thereby causes loss or damage to the amount of twenty-five ringgit or upwards, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.”

Mischief and damage? I do believe that putting up flags before nomination day is illegal. Wouldn’t that make these flags the equivalent of rubbish left lying around?

How can it be illegal for residents to remove trash in their own neighbourhood?

If someone threw out an old appliance costing more than RM25 and someone else removed it from the street, should they be arrested under Section 427 as well?

I think it also goes without saying that you won’t find the police arresting individuals taking down opposition flags.

This entire farce begs the question - how important are these flags anyway?

If you’ll allow me a smidgen of arrogance, you could cover Segambut (the parliamentary constituency in which TTDI is located) from head to toe in BN flags and it will not affect the outcome of the election on May 9.

Being so heavy-handed as to arrest citizens who are removing what is technically litter before the campaign period, however, will only reflect badly on BN - in both Segambut and beyond.

The same goes for the Federal Territories Umno Youth leader Razlan Rafii who said that they “cannot guarantee the safety” (could there be a more cowardly, hypocritical euphemism?) of those who tear their flags down - not as if we needed more proof that Umno is a party of thugs.

Which is the greater offence? Removing litter or threatening the physical safety of others? Why would we need to rely on Umno Youth to guarantee the safety of anyone, unless it is they themselves who would incite violence...