Police: Flags in viral video not linked to extremist movements

Police found no link between flags carried by political party supporters in a viral video and extremist movements.

Penang police chief Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain warned against unhealthy speculation about the group after videos of their horse-riding antics were widely circulated on social media platforms.

He said the 20-second video is believed to have been recorded on Nov 19 in Kubang Semang, Seberang Perai Tengah, Penang.

“The Penang police contingent confirms that among the flags carried are political party flags, as well as syahadah (the Islamic proclamation of faith).

“Further investigations found it to be unrelated to any extremist or terrorist movements,” he said in a statement.

The video shows a group of people on horseback carrying PAS and Perikatan Nasional flags, as well as white and green flags with the syahadah written on them.

The syahadah is a central part of the Islamic faith and is featured in various flags and iconography, including the national flag of Saudi Arabia.

However, the video had also drawn comparisons online to the Taliban, whose flag is a white flag with the syahadah written on it.

Mohd Shuhaily warned that “unhealthy speculation” can lead to public anxiety and could amount to an offence under Section 504 of the Penal Code, which is punishable with up to two years imprisonment, a fine, or both.

Such offences can also be investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities. This is punishable by up to two years imprisonment, a fine up to RM50,000, or both, upon conviction.

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