A Malaysian was sentenced to 15 months’ jail by a Dumai District Court yesterday after he was found guilty of insulting the Indonesian flag.

A panel of judges found Broderick ‘Achin’ Chin Teck Fui guilty of violating Article 154 of the Criminal Code on insulting, or expressing enmity toward or hatred of, the Indonesian government.

Achin, the operations manager of PT Kreasijaya Adhikarya, a Malaysian palm oil processing company, was also found guilty of violating Article 66 of Law No 24/2009 on the state flag, language, emblems and national anthem, English daily The Jakarta Post reported today.

The incident happened on Aug 16 when the company’s employees were preparing a flag for the Independence Day ceremony when Achin asked one of his subordinates whether they had a new flag or not.

“If you do not have a new flag, just use my white underwear. For the red, you can ask my wife,” Achin reportedly told his workers.

His remark, which was meant as a joke, made its way to the Dumai City Council and into the media.

Police arrested Achin several days later under public pressure and proceeded with the case, the daily reported.

- Bernama