Harping on flag gaffes only brings more conflicts - DAP Youth chief

Summary

• The politicisation of errors involving the Jalur Gemilang will only fuel unnecessary conflicts and will not bring the nation forward, says DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong.

• Woo also points out that several quarters who are now harping on the issue have been quiet on similar gaffes involving others in the past.

• He adds that critics should not act like “jaguh kampung” to score political points.

DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong has reminded Malaysians that politicising issues related to the national flag will not bring the nation forward, and could only further fuel unnecessary conflicts.

Woo, who is also Pasir Bedamar assemblyperson, criticised the “village champion” (jaguh kampung) mentality and hypocrisy of politicians who did not scrutinise or express similar outrage over previous incidents where the national flag had also been depicted inaccurately. 

“All Malaysian citizens in their right mind would agree that the Jalur Gemilang is a symbol of national sovereignty - especially politicians, regardless of their political allegiance. Nobody is questioning this issue.

“But it is strange that these politicians did not urge similar action to be taken against the Education Ministry (when the flag was depicted inaccurately in an official document), and when a similar incident also happened at the PAS rally in Terengganu earlier this year. 

“Politicising the issue of the upside-down flag will not bring Malaysia forward. Instead, we should work together to ensure that those who make mistakes are willing to learn, and not repeat them - for the sake of national unity,” he said.

‘Careless mistake’

The incident, which sparked public outrage, happened at SJK(C) Chung Hua in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, on Aug 1.

Education Minister Fadlina Sidek has vowed “strict action” against the school, and said the ministry is awaiting a full report on the investigation.

The school has since issued a public apology and claimed that the error was caused by a careless staff member. 

This morning, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh responded to DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, arguing that concerns raised over the latest Jalur Gemilang incident are a matter of “patriotism, not politics.”

Loke previously said there is no need for anyone to politicise the incident, and urged the public to allow the Education Ministry to investigate the matter.

“Every time something like this happens, there will be some quarters trying to politicise it.

“As for the mistakes, I leave the matter to the Education Ministry, which is already investigating the matter. Let the ministry’s probe decide whether it was deliberate or not,” he said.

Why the silence previously?

Woo, in his statement today, echoed Loke’s sentiments and said that ongoing criticism against the school is unwarranted, especially since a public apology has already been issued.

“All of these people did not previously question the patriotism of the Education Ministry or the organisers of the TMT event in Terengganu.

“These politicians should not be hypocritical and have double standards on the same issue. Acting like a village champion (jaguh kampung) will not win votes for your party, but will only highlight your stupidity.”

Akmal, in response to the flag gaffe, had urged stern action against those responsible and for authorities to investigate Lukut assemblyperson Choo Ken Hwa’s claim that the incident was the result of a mistake by a disabled worker.

Stressing that the national flag must be honoured, not desecrated, Akmal decried what he described as a recurring pattern of offence followed by remorse.

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