DAP Youth told to lodge police reports against Akmal over flag protest

Summary

• DAP Youth representatives have been told to lodge police reports against Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh over offences relating to yesterday’s flag rally in Kepala Batas.

• DAP lawmaker Ramkarpal Singh says there are sufficient grounds for the authorities to investigate Akmal.

DAP Youth representatives nationwide have been instructed to file police reports against Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh over a slew of alleged offences relating to yesterday’s Jalur Gemilang protest in Bertam, Kepala Batas.  

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, who issued the directive, stressed that Akmal’s choice to resort to “intimidation and bullying” has not aided in resolving tensions over an inverted national flag controversy. 

Loke said the police reports will be filed under several provisions of the Penal Code, including Section 503 on criminal intimidation, Section 504 for intentionally making insulting statements with intent to provoke public disorder, and Section 505 on statements conducing to public mischief. 

He added that reports will also be lodged under newly introduced anti-bullying laws under the Penal Code, namely Section 507B for harassment and causing a victim distress, fear and anxiety, as well as Section 507C for uttering words with the same effect. 

“Akmal’s disregard for police warnings is an act that challenges the sovereignty of the law and disrupts public order, causing anxiety among traders in the surrounding area to the point that they were forced to close their businesses earlier than usual,” Loke noted in a statement today. 

“Such behaviour goes beyond the bounds of the law and the norms of Malaysia’s multiracial society. Appropriate punishment must be imposed for such extreme acts.”  

This morning, Penang DAP Youth called for the Pakatan Harapan component party’s national leadership to cut all forms of political cooperation with Akmal, especially in the next general election, as the Merlimau assemblyperson’s actions are “unforgivable”. 

Blatant defiance

Yesterday, Penang DAP chairperson Steven Sim said the party’s members and supporters were not mobilised for the protest, in line with state police chief Azizee Ismail’s call for all parties to be patient and avoid actions that could cause tension.

Sim had also urged the police to take firm action against Akmal, describing his conduct as a blatant defiance of police orders, a breach of the law, and a deliberate provocation that threatens public order.

Earlier in the day, Akmal led a group of Umno Youth members to gather in front of a hardware store implicated in an incident where the national flag was flown upside down. 

While police had earlier confirmed an investigation into the flag blunder, around 300 protesters - including Bersatu Youth members - had joined Akmal’s gathering in a show of support for his condemnation of the store’s owner, Pang Chin Tian. 

Lawyers for Liberty members, including its director Zaid Malek, were also present to defend the store.

Sufficient grounds

Former deputy minister Ramkarpal Singh said there are sufficient grounds for the authorities to investigate Akmal.

“I understand various police reports have been lodged against Akmal.

“Hence, I urge the police to act and kickstart investigations into those complaints in the public interest,” Bukit Gelugor MP said in a statement today.

He also clarified his earlier statement on using the Sedition Act, among others, against the Umno leader - stressing the draconian law ought to be repealed in line with the government’s commitment to reforms.

“However, I maintain that Akmal must be investigated for various other offences.

“This includes criminal intimidation under Section 503 of the Penal Code, intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace under Section 504 of the Penal Code and making statements conducing to public mischief under Section 505 of the Penal Code.”

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