Flag blunders: PN, Harapan, and BN politicians call for common sense, not rage
Zikri Kamarulzaman
Published: Aug 31, 2026 7:30 AM
Updated: 9:30 AM
On the surface, this year’s series of Merdeka and Malaysia Day flag gaffes may seem like just desserts to some.
Several of the incidents involved either Perikatan Nasional or BN - coalitions whose members previously fuelled outrage and racist rhetoric in response to flag errors last year.
But does badgering provocateurs like Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh to stage protests against his allies help heal wounds? Or does it only serve to encourage hypervigilance and divisive politics?
How can we move forward instead? Malaysiakini posed this question to politicians from across the divide, and most were keen to offer constructive solutions instead of punitive measures.
For Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin and Selangor PAS Youth chief Sukri Omar, it starts with distinguishing between purposely disrespecting the flag and honest mistakes or negligence.
Published: Aug 31, 2026 7:30 AM
Updated: 9:30 AM
On the surface, this year’s series of Merdeka and Malaysia Day flag gaffes may seem like just desserts to some.
Several of the incidents involved either Perikatan Nasional or BN - coalitions whose members previously fuelled outrage and racist rhetoric in response to flag errors last year.
But does badgering provocateurs like Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh to stage protests against his allies help heal wounds? Or does it only serve to encourage hypervigilance and divisive politics?
How can we move forward instead? Malaysiakini posed this question to politicians from across the divide, and most were keen to offer constructive solutions instead of punitive measures.
For Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin and Selangor PAS Youth chief Sukri Omar, it starts with distinguishing between purposely disrespecting the flag and honest mistakes or negligence.
Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin
Mas Ermieyati said, for example, that many people who buy flags may not inspect them for errors and would just simply put them up, trusting that everything is right.
“That’s why this year, we can see that flag gaffes involving the Jalur Gemilang can happen in any situation to anyone, whether A or B.
“The question is, what should the response be that is best for the country? For me, it is more about education, correction, and unifying,” she said.
She added that the government should look into enhancing guidelines on the production and display of flags at all levels, including schools, local councils, and business districts.
In at least two incidents this year, one involving a T-shirt worn by Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi Nor and Jalur Gemilang headscarves sold by Mydin, there was a design error that resulted in fewer than 14 points on the flag’s star.
Measured response needed
Meanwhile, Sukri said that not every incident should be politicised to make the rakyat view each other as enemies.
He also took a more forgiving stance on genuine mistakes, where others had in the past said it was impossible not to notice that the Jalur Gemilang is upside down or has errors.
Mas Ermieyati said, for example, that many people who buy flags may not inspect them for errors and would just simply put them up, trusting that everything is right.
“That’s why this year, we can see that flag gaffes involving the Jalur Gemilang can happen in any situation to anyone, whether A or B.
“The question is, what should the response be that is best for the country? For me, it is more about education, correction, and unifying,” she said.
She added that the government should look into enhancing guidelines on the production and display of flags at all levels, including schools, local councils, and business districts.
In at least two incidents this year, one involving a T-shirt worn by Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi Nor and Jalur Gemilang headscarves sold by Mydin, there was a design error that resulted in fewer than 14 points on the flag’s star.
Measured response needed
Meanwhile, Sukri said that not every incident should be politicised to make the rakyat view each other as enemies.
He also took a more forgiving stance on genuine mistakes, where others had in the past said it was impossible not to notice that the Jalur Gemilang is upside down or has errors.
Selangor PAS Youth chief Sukri Omar
“If someone hoists the Jalur Gemilang upside down because they truly did not know, were careless, or oblivious, without intent to insult, then that is a mistake or negligence.
“But negligence must be pointed out because we are dealing with a national symbol which deserves attention and respect,” Sukri said, adding that when mistakes happen, steps must be taken to educate, fix, and avoid future incidents.
He cautioned, however, that repeated acts of negligence or elements that raise suspicion of intentional disrespect should be investigated thoroughly.
Give room for correction, not instant outrage
As for when you spot an erroneous flag, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim advised against whipping out a phone to make viral content that only serves to fan anger.
Instead, he said those who spot errors should point them out to those responsible and ask for it to be corrected.
Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid expressed a similar opinion, saying those who make mistakes must be given space to correct them.
“But negligence must be pointed out because we are dealing with a national symbol which deserves attention and respect,” Sukri said, adding that when mistakes happen, steps must be taken to educate, fix, and avoid future incidents.
He cautioned, however, that repeated acts of negligence or elements that raise suspicion of intentional disrespect should be investigated thoroughly.
Give room for correction, not instant outrage
As for when you spot an erroneous flag, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim advised against whipping out a phone to make viral content that only serves to fan anger.
Instead, he said those who spot errors should point them out to those responsible and ask for it to be corrected.
Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid expressed a similar opinion, saying those who make mistakes must be given space to correct them.
Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid
Mas Ermieyati, Sukri, Hassan, and Syerleena - as well as Malacca assemblyperson Noor Helmy Abdul Halem - all said that politicians must not seize on flag gaffes to create tensions, especially between races.
Sukri said that defending the flag should not come at the expense of racial unity.
Helmy, who is the Duyong assemblyperson, likewise said that when leaders make flag incidents into a big issue, it can lead to misconceptions, especially when only one race appears to be targeted.
However, he stressed that there must be personal responsibility when errors happen, regardless of the circumstances that led to it.
This appeared to refer to incidents where the flag was hoisted upside down by workers, who took the blame for the error instead of their employers.
Politicians must moderate, not aggravate
Meanwhile, Hassan said even in incidents where the flag was intentionally displayed wrongly, politicians must serve as a voice of reason.
“Take a sensible approach. Don’t use the police or local council enforcers to act.
“Get local leaders, village heads, local councillors, assemblypersons or MPs to intervene and take charge, because the perpetrator is their constituent,” he said.
Sukri said that defending the flag should not come at the expense of racial unity.
Helmy, who is the Duyong assemblyperson, likewise said that when leaders make flag incidents into a big issue, it can lead to misconceptions, especially when only one race appears to be targeted.
However, he stressed that there must be personal responsibility when errors happen, regardless of the circumstances that led to it.
This appeared to refer to incidents where the flag was hoisted upside down by workers, who took the blame for the error instead of their employers.
Politicians must moderate, not aggravate
Meanwhile, Hassan said even in incidents where the flag was intentionally displayed wrongly, politicians must serve as a voice of reason.
“Take a sensible approach. Don’t use the police or local council enforcers to act.
“Get local leaders, village heads, local councillors, assemblypersons or MPs to intervene and take charge, because the perpetrator is their constituent,” he said.
Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim
Syerleena said politicians must also practice what they preach.
“We need to stop this strange competition over who is more Malaysian and who “deserves” to be here. Nobody should have to keep proving that this is their home.
“Political leaders have a huge responsibility here, myself included. People notice what we say, what we laugh at and what we choose to stay silent about. We cannot talk about unity on stage, then encourage division online,” she said.
She said politicians must organise more activities for their constituents to know each other, be it gotong royong, sports, or volunteer work, instead of just annual photo ops.
She said when politicians act with restraint, empathy, and maturity, that becomes the norm that the public will follow. The same goes when they act as provocateurs who shame and divide.
The DAP lawmaker isn’t just all talk either. She and her team have launched “Ops Bendera”, where they go door to door with the Information Department’s Madani community volunteer group to explain the do’s and don’ts of displaying the flag.
“These conversations matter. Sometimes people simply don’t know or don’t notice, and a friendly explanation goes further than public shaming,” she said.
Syerleena said politicians must also practice what they preach.
“We need to stop this strange competition over who is more Malaysian and who “deserves” to be here. Nobody should have to keep proving that this is their home.
“Political leaders have a huge responsibility here, myself included. People notice what we say, what we laugh at and what we choose to stay silent about. We cannot talk about unity on stage, then encourage division online,” she said.
She said politicians must organise more activities for their constituents to know each other, be it gotong royong, sports, or volunteer work, instead of just annual photo ops.
She said when politicians act with restraint, empathy, and maturity, that becomes the norm that the public will follow. The same goes when they act as provocateurs who shame and divide.
The DAP lawmaker isn’t just all talk either. She and her team have launched “Ops Bendera”, where they go door to door with the Information Department’s Madani community volunteer group to explain the do’s and don’ts of displaying the flag.
“These conversations matter. Sometimes people simply don’t know or don’t notice, and a friendly explanation goes further than public shaming,” she said.
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Johor - Nepalese guard hoisted the federal and state flags incorrectly, and woman manager of that factory (ordered to shut down) was remanded for FOUR DAYS - WTF, why 4 days?
