Loke, Chang: Upside-down flags wrong, but no need for bullying

Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang have reaffirmed that displaying the Jalur Gemilang upside down is wrong.

However, in separate statements, the two ministers said while such mistakes should be investigated, there was no need for bullying.

Both used the Malay proverb "menangguk di air keruh" (fishing in troubled waters) to warn against provocation, either by would-be "heroes" who stoke racial sentiments or bullies who want to "teach" others how to put up the flag.

While neither mentioned names, their remarks are believed to be in response to Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh.

There have been two reported incidents of the Jalur Gemilang being displayed upside down this month. The first was at a Chinese school in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, and more recently at a hardware store in Penang.

Both incidents were described as accidents by those involved, with the first being the mistake of a disabled worker at the school.

Akmal has been a vocal critic in both cases, calling for harsh punishment to be imposed.

In the Penang case, he also said he would hold a "class" outside the hardware store to teach people how to properly put up a flag.

This led to Umno Youth planning a rally outside the store as well.

However, Akmal has put his "class" on hold, after police arrested the shop owner.

People may fear putting up flags

Chang, in a social media post, said excessive actions by certain quarters could deter others from displaying the Jalur Gemilang at all for the upcoming national month celebrations.

"As such, I call on all politicians to take up the responsibility to foster unity and not to divide,” he said.

Loke said a person's patriotism should not be judged on its "form" only.

"No one has a monopoly on the meaning of patriotism. As the English say, the substance is more important than the form," he added.

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