A Merdeka Lesson!! Chinese “Ah Pek” In Penang Teaches UMNO Youth The True Meaning Of "Patriotism"…?!!
18 Aug 2025 • 11:00 AM MYT
JK Joseph
Repentant ex-banker who believes in truth, compassion and some humour
Credit Image: Jason Hng Facebook / Kosmo / Sinar Harian
Did UMNO Youth call a Chinese man “ah pek” (not the most polite way to address a 59-year-old man) while mockingly issuing some veiled threats…?
For the record, recently an elderly Chinese hardware shop owner in Kepala Batas, Penang found himself in the crosshairs of firebrand UMNO Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh who had called him “ah pek” and had “threatened” to visit his shop with others to “teach” him how to fly the Jalur Gemilang correctly.
Yet, despite being publicly shamed after a video of him allegedly hoisting the national flag wrongly outside his shop went viral earlier, the man appeared unfazed; in fact, if anything, it only seemed to have galvanised him to prove his accusers wrong - in the true Malaysian way!
Still, what must have shocked many was that Akmal had also reportedly given an ultimatum to the authorities to arrest the man and charge him in court for allegedly disrespecting the Malaysian flag.
But didn't the shop owner explain that he was merely measuring a flagpole while hoisting the flag and hadn't even fastened it yet?
Unsurprisingly, UMNO Youth's antics in the tense episode had annoyed DAP national advisor Lim Guan Eng who openly urged the Home Ministry to act against the former for the unbecoming conduct.
Lim also lambasted Akmal for attempting to interfere in the administration of justice and pressuring the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) while also “bullying” an elderly citizen - and violating the Rukun Negara especially the last tenet “Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan” (Good Behaviour and Morality)!
Credit Image: eCentral
Then last Tuesday (Aug 12) DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook went on to “announce” that his party will sponsor a giant Jalur Gemilang to be installed at the shop in Kepala Batas in addition to distributing 831 Jalur Gemilang flags for free; he had described the gesture as a display of unity in conjunction with the National Day on August 31.
Note: It was reported that Akmal who had announced plans to stage a protest at the shop did not proceed after police who were assigned to the area had advised against it.
Still, in a Facebook video, the UMNO Youth “supremo” had sarcastically thanked Loke and added that he would be happy to attend the event in Penang.
Meanwhile, quite unexpectedly, a Malay-language daily had published a touching interview with the Chinese hardware shop owner at the centre of the controversy, Pang Chin Tian, who admitted to having made a blunder while in the process of fastening and hoisting the flag; however, he said that he was ready to accept responsibility and face the consequences - including legal action!
Interestingly, Pang revealed that he has been proudly flying the Jalur Gemilang at his shop every year - ahead of the Merdeka day celebrations - for the past 10 years to foster the spirit of love and loyalty to the country.
He also confided that he was a bit afraid now after the incident; however, in a defiant tone he added that because of his love for the country he will continue to fly the national flag faithfully - in spite of the shameful experience of being arrested and remanded by the police only days earlier!
In truth, what was striking was that the man seemed very calm and did not appear to show any animosity towards his accusers, including the person who had originally shared the (incomplete) footage on social media which sparked the whole controversy.
Undoubtedly too, the hardware shop owner’s calm and polite response to the humbling episode would have struck a chord with many; after all, didn't the country's Rukun Negara clearly stress on cultivating good behaviour?
Patriotism isn't the exclusive property of any one group!
Probably, there will also be some who would like to remind those bullies and attention seekers in the flag issue that patriotism doesn't belong to any one group; after all, weren't leaders from several different ethnic groups instrumental in negotiating with the British for the independence of this truly unique nation?
Do they still teach in our school history books about Sybil and her husband Kathigasu who served the nation faithfully during the Japanese occupation?
In fact, isn't a true patriot one who obeys the laws of the country and who respects and loves his fellow citizens and is willing to sacrifice for them?
In conclusion, the irony is that though UMNO Youth had wanted to “teach a lesson” to the Penang hardware shop owner, thanks to the police, it never materialised; instead, wasn't it the elderly Chinese shop owner who ended up teaching the young unruly upstarts and other “half baked patriots" the true meaning of “patriotism?”
Important Note: The incident may also serve as a reminder to us that there will only be true “Merdeka” in this country when we “free” ourselves from racial and religious prejudices and all the false sense of superiority. Now, haven't we all been guilty of that, at times?
Then last Tuesday (Aug 12) DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook went on to “announce” that his party will sponsor a giant Jalur Gemilang to be installed at the shop in Kepala Batas in addition to distributing 831 Jalur Gemilang flags for free; he had described the gesture as a display of unity in conjunction with the National Day on August 31.
Note: It was reported that Akmal who had announced plans to stage a protest at the shop did not proceed after police who were assigned to the area had advised against it.
Still, in a Facebook video, the UMNO Youth “supremo” had sarcastically thanked Loke and added that he would be happy to attend the event in Penang.
Meanwhile, quite unexpectedly, a Malay-language daily had published a touching interview with the Chinese hardware shop owner at the centre of the controversy, Pang Chin Tian, who admitted to having made a blunder while in the process of fastening and hoisting the flag; however, he said that he was ready to accept responsibility and face the consequences - including legal action!
Interestingly, Pang revealed that he has been proudly flying the Jalur Gemilang at his shop every year - ahead of the Merdeka day celebrations - for the past 10 years to foster the spirit of love and loyalty to the country.
He also confided that he was a bit afraid now after the incident; however, in a defiant tone he added that because of his love for the country he will continue to fly the national flag faithfully - in spite of the shameful experience of being arrested and remanded by the police only days earlier!
In truth, what was striking was that the man seemed very calm and did not appear to show any animosity towards his accusers, including the person who had originally shared the (incomplete) footage on social media which sparked the whole controversy.
Undoubtedly too, the hardware shop owner’s calm and polite response to the humbling episode would have struck a chord with many; after all, didn't the country's Rukun Negara clearly stress on cultivating good behaviour?
Patriotism isn't the exclusive property of any one group!
Probably, there will also be some who would like to remind those bullies and attention seekers in the flag issue that patriotism doesn't belong to any one group; after all, weren't leaders from several different ethnic groups instrumental in negotiating with the British for the independence of this truly unique nation?
Do they still teach in our school history books about Sybil and her husband Kathigasu who served the nation faithfully during the Japanese occupation?
In fact, isn't a true patriot one who obeys the laws of the country and who respects and loves his fellow citizens and is willing to sacrifice for them?
In conclusion, the irony is that though UMNO Youth had wanted to “teach a lesson” to the Penang hardware shop owner, thanks to the police, it never materialised; instead, wasn't it the elderly Chinese shop owner who ended up teaching the young unruly upstarts and other “half baked patriots" the true meaning of “patriotism?”
Important Note: The incident may also serve as a reminder to us that there will only be true “Merdeka” in this country when we “free” ourselves from racial and religious prejudices and all the false sense of superiority. Now, haven't we all been guilty of that, at times?
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