The police must explain whether they had taken action against individuals who had flown the Jalur Gemilang upside-down in police stations on two separate occasions in the past, said DAP MP Lim Lip Eng.

This came after old pictures of the flag blunder resurfaced on social media - one involving the Seremban district police headquarters (in 2016) and the other Simpang Lima police station, Selangor (in 2020).

“Were those who made the blunders at the Seremban district police headquarters and Simpang Lima police station arrested and charged?

“If not, why are ordinary citizens implicated in similar cases subjected to arrests?

“Do we have a statute of limitations to charge those implicated, or are some immune to the rule of law?” he asked in a statement today.

Seremban district police chief Hatta Che Din

Yesterday, Seremban district police chief Hatta Che Din clarified that the image involving his headquarters happened in 2016 during the Police Day celebration.

“The incident of the flag being flown upside down occurred in 2016. The image first went viral in 2019 and has now resurfaced for the second time.

“It was detected that the photograph was spread by an irresponsible individual,” he stated.

Hatta then urged the public not to recirculate the old image to avoid creating negative perceptions or doubts among the public.

As for the image involving Simpang Lima police station, Bernama reported the Kerian district police chief Mazuki Mat as saying in September 2020 that they had launched an investigation under Section 5 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963.

However, it is unclear what transpired from the probe.

Equality before the law

Lim further reminded the authorities that equality before the law is not just a slogan but reflects on how laws must be applied to all, regardless of their background.

“The laws must be enforced equally on all, regardless of their identity and status.

“If laws are applied strictly on ordinary citizens but leniently on a select few, then it is nothing but a clear-cut injustice,” the Kepong lawmaker added.

On Aug 10, the police arrested store owner Feng Jin Zhen after a Facebook user, under the name Nazirul Hafiz, posted a 20-second video showing the Jalur Gemilang being flown upside-down outside his outlet in Kepala Batas, Penang.

Penang acting police chief Alwi Zainal Abidin said the case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1988.

While Feng has been released on police bail, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh yesterday threatened to “educate” the man on how to install a flag if the prosecutors don’t charge him within two days - triggering criticisms from MCA and Lawyers for Liberty.

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