DAP Youth, Johor Umno counterpart in war of words over Pontian flag gaffe
Published: Aug 22, 2025 11:43 AM
Updated: 6:40 PM
Summary
- DAP Youth, Johor Umno Youth are having a war of words over the latest inverted flag incident at a dental clinic in Pontian, which led to the local council ordering a 30-day closure.
- While DAP Youth deems the closure excessive, Johor Umno Youth fully supports the local council’s decision.
DAP Youth and the Johor Umno Youth have entered into a war of words over the latest incident over an upside-down flag in Pontian, which led to the local council ordering a 30-day closure of a dental clinic.
DAP Youth described the Pontian Municipal Council’s (MPPn) punishment against the clinic as excessive and disproportionate.
In a statement today, DAP Youth wing’s national executive council stressed that whilst all businesses must avoid such mistakes and uphold their civic duties, authorities should not be overzealous in enforcing penalties.
“MPPn’s action in exceeding its authority by ordering the clinic to close for 30 days has undermined public confidence in local government governance. Therefore, DAP Youth urges the Johor state government to immediately direct MPPn to withdraw the order.
“During this period, patients who have made appointments, including all those who have arranged for surgery and so forth, are forced to postpone their dates or seek other doctors.
“All enforcement decisions by local authorities should consider the impact or effects on the public, rather than punishing blindly like moral police," the wing said.
It added that the decision to close premises without reasonable discretionary consideration contradicts the principle of proportionality in meting out punishment, and that authorities must not use a “one-size-fits-all” approach, which risks power abuse.
Johor Umno Youth, however, said it fully supports the action taken by the local council.
“This action by MPPn should serve as an important lesson and reminder to all parties to ensure that the Malaysian flag is always displayed properly, especially as the nation celebrates the 68th anniversary of its independence.
“Johor Umno Youth is confident that MPPn has acted in accordance with the law and within the jurisdiction granted to it as a Local Authority,” said its chief, Noor Azleen Ambros.
Double standards
The DAP Youth group also flagged as concerning what it deemed to be double standards practised in enforcing punitive actions over similar issues.
“Even more concerning is the practice of double standards in flag issues, whereby when similar mistakes involve the Education Ministry, Terengganu PAS, and Terengganu Umno Youth, all these entities were not subject to heavy action, but small traders are heavily punished or shamed by extremist groups.
“Such practices have created negative perceptions and increasingly eroded public trust while increasing public dissatisfaction.
“Coercive approaches will only produce false compliance and public rejection of serious matters. Local councils should not add to public anxiety over flag issues.
“Local councils should not abuse their power in flag matters. Patriotism should be built through education and encouragement, not through threats or harsh punishment,” the statement further read.
Yesterday, Lawyers for Liberty co-founder Latheefa Koya similarly expressed dismay over the shuttering of the clinic, slamming the move as “arbitrary and high-handed”.
On Aug 12, Terengganu Umno Youth chief Tengku Haphiz Tengku Putera apologised for a poster featuring an incorrectly designed Malaysian flag.
He attributed the error to the designer being “affected” by recent flag gaffes.
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, however, declared that he will continue his campaign against the desecration of the Jalur Gemilang, urging authorities to investigate and prosecute the Youth wing member responsible for the poster.
‘Educate your members’
Urimai pro-tem secretary M Satees reminded DAP Youth that ignorance of the law cannot be used as an excuse to evade responsibility.
As DAP has many lawyers within its fold, Satees said they should be educating their youth members on such matters.
“For example, in India, any act of disrespecting the national flag, intentional or otherwise, carries a maximum prison sentence of three years.
“However, in Malaysia, we are still debating about whether the individual made a mistake or otherwise,” he said in a statement today.
Urimai pro-tem secretary M Satees
Satees added that if DAP Youth still felt it was a trivial matter, they should step down from their government posts.
“DAP Youth should stop defending the flag blunders and spare the public from this endless debate,” he added.
AGC’s warning, Akmal charged
In a statement on Aug 15, the Attorney-General's Chamber (AGC) warned against the improper display of the Malaysian flag, citing recent incidents in Penang involving a hardware store and in Negeri Sembilan involving a Chinese-medium school.
It also cautioned the public against vigilantism over such matters, emphasising that complaints should be channelled through relevant authorities.
The AGC’s statement, however, appeared not to have acknowledged the flag gaffe involving Terengganu Umno Youth.
This morning, firebrand politician Akmal pleaded not guilty in the Bukit Mertajam Magistrate’s Court to a charge under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for allegedly threatening public order.
Satees added that if DAP Youth still felt it was a trivial matter, they should step down from their government posts.
“DAP Youth should stop defending the flag blunders and spare the public from this endless debate,” he added.
AGC’s warning, Akmal charged
In a statement on Aug 15, the Attorney-General's Chamber (AGC) warned against the improper display of the Malaysian flag, citing recent incidents in Penang involving a hardware store and in Negeri Sembilan involving a Chinese-medium school.
It also cautioned the public against vigilantism over such matters, emphasising that complaints should be channelled through relevant authorities.
The AGC’s statement, however, appeared not to have acknowledged the flag gaffe involving Terengganu Umno Youth.
This morning, firebrand politician Akmal pleaded not guilty in the Bukit Mertajam Magistrate’s Court to a charge under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for allegedly threatening public order.
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh
The charge is related to an unspecified Facebook post made at about 3pm on Aug 11, likely linked to recent incidents of the Jalur Gemilang being displayed upside down.
Two days ago, in a statement on Facebook following the AGC’s announcement that he would be charged, Akmal said he was in Mecca for an umrah pilgrimage, but would shorten his pilgrimage to return and face charges.
Last week, Akmal led about 100 protesters, including Umno and Bersatu youth members, in Kepala Batas, Penang, to “educate” a hardware store owner caught on video hanging a Jalur Gemilang upside down.
The charge is related to an unspecified Facebook post made at about 3pm on Aug 11, likely linked to recent incidents of the Jalur Gemilang being displayed upside down.
Two days ago, in a statement on Facebook following the AGC’s announcement that he would be charged, Akmal said he was in Mecca for an umrah pilgrimage, but would shorten his pilgrimage to return and face charges.
Last week, Akmal led about 100 protesters, including Umno and Bersatu youth members, in Kepala Batas, Penang, to “educate” a hardware store owner caught on video hanging a Jalur Gemilang upside down.
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Urimal should join UMNO Youth as a non-Muslim non-Malay associate
Ramasamy and Urinal are just a bunch of desperado jetsam and floatsam.
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