Flag rally participants disperse after minor argument

Flag rally participants disperse after minor argument

Malaysiakini Team
Published: Aug 14, 2025 6:12 PM
Updated: 10:14 PM


Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh and his wing members had gathered in front of a hardware store in Kepala Batas, Penang, which was at the centre of an inverted national flag controversy.

Bersatu Youth members also joined the rally against the businessperson who went viral holding a Jalur Gemilang upside down.

Lawyers for Liberty (LFL), including its director Zaid Malek, also showed up to make a stand against the Umno Youth protest.


‘Called Zionist as they acted like so’

7.10pm: When asked why LFL brandished placards labelling protesters Zionists, its director Zaid Malek explains during a press conference that it was because representatives from major political parties and those in power had singled out an innocent person - the hardware store owner - who made an unintentional mistake.

In doing so, they were bullying him in a manner reminiscent of Zionist tactics, he says.

Zaid further argues that Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh appeared to be targeting a specific group, questioning why similar protests were not staged in places such as Terengganu or the Education Ministry, which were also involved in flag blunders.

He adds that, just like the protesters, they too had the right to express their views.

Based on observations, more than 100 police officers have been deployed for the rally, including six Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) trucks and a few light strike force vehicles.

Rally disbands after minor argument

6.30pm: Umno leader Dr Akmal Saleh leaves the area immediately after singing the national anthem, but other participants refuse to disperse and shout at the LFL members holding placards, leading to police forming a barrier to separate the two groups.

Several Umno Youth representatives speak to Zaid Malek, asking him to advise his members to put down the placards, while they, in turn, would urge the rally participants to disperse.

In the end, LFL members agree to put down their placards, and the demonstrators begin leaving the scene after 6.15pm.

Zaid: Akmal is bullying, harassing

6.20pm: LFL director Zaid Malek points out that the actions of Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh and his members in pressuring the authorities to arrest and charge the hardware store owner constitute outright bullying and harassment.

“He says this is not bullying, but why did those shops also close?” he asks.

He says the hardware store owner merely made an unintentional mistake and was not the one who filmed and uploaded the images of the wrongly hung national flag.

Crowd swells to 300

6pm: The number of participants grows to over 300 as they approach the hardware store, with some joining halfway, including Bersatu Youth chief Hilman Idham.

Hilman and Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh then take turns delivering speeches and once again lead the crowd in singing the national anthem.

However, upon finishing the anthem, the demonstrators become enraged when LFL members hold up placards in front of them bearing phrases such as “Not Like Zionists” and “Malaysia Rejects Bullying.”

Akmal calls for severe punishment

5.40pm: In his speech, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh denies being a bully and stressed that the national flag is a serious matter that transcends race, religion, and political affiliation.

He also urges both government and opposition MPs to push for legislation in Parliament to severely punish those who insult the national flag.

Akmal reminds the participants not to cause trouble or respond to provocations, and to shout “Merdeka” in response if provoked. Before the crowd began marching, he also led them in singing the national anthem.

National flags distributed

5.30pm: More than 100 people gather at the scene. Bersatu Youth national information chief Harris Idaham arrives at the car park with 30 members - most dressed in white - to join the Umno Youth contingent.

Organisers distribute national flags and placards bearing slogans such as “Rise to Defend the Nation’s Dignity”, “Defend Sovereignty, Reject Treachery”, and “Love Our Country and Respect the National Flag.”

More than 70 present

5pm: Over 70 people begin gathering at an open area in the night market, about 1.5km from the hardware store. Only about half are wearing Umno Youth shirts, while the rest are in plain clothes, making it unclear whether any Bersatu Youth members are present.

Based on observation, more than 100 police officers are deployed to secure the area, including five red Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) trucks and a few light strike force vehicles.