Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor today said both parties, Umno and DAP, were in the wrong over the incident where the DAP flag was torched in Penang.

"Actually, both sides are in the wrong," he told reporters at the Aeon AU2 in Setiawangsa, Kuala Lumpur today.

Tengku Adnan also said Umno members responsible for the burning of the DAP flag did so because of a prior incident which had provoked them.

“I have received the report (on the matter) and we have discussed with the party’s disciplinary board, and we can see that there was a reason why they decided to burn the flag,” he said.

Although he did not elaborate, it is understood that the Umno members involved in the incident had done so after the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) took down the Penang Menara Umno's signboard because the party had allegedly not submitted their permit application.

Tengku Adnan said regardless, they will take disciplinary action against the perpetrators of the flag-burning.

Meanwhile, Tengku Adnan ( photo ) also pointed out that Umno’s flag was once torched by the opposition.

“Once, our flag was burned by the opposition, the face (of politicians on banners), stamped on,” he said.

Nevertheless, he urged both parties, Umno and DAP, to understand each other’s sensitivities.

“I urge all to tolerate one another. We must be moderate, and have mutual understanding.

“I am concerned if we do not tolerate and understand one another, in the future, there will be animosity where the Malays cannot mix with the Indians, the Chinese and other races,” he said.

The Federal Territories minister also said that if parties could not tolerate each other, that is why they resort to doing as they like.

“This person will burn this, that person will stamp on that. So in the end what will happen to our country?

“Do we want to see our country in disarray?” he asked.

However, he promised that action will be taken against Umno members who were involved in the flag burning.

“The case has been closed and we will take action against our members who have torched the flag.”

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

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 MBPP on the council’s decision to tear down the Penang Menara Umno’s signboard.