School's flag blunder sparks fury from Akmal, forgiveness from academic
Published: Aug 4, 2025 11:53 AM
Updated: 2:45 PM
The upside-down Jalur Gemilang incident at a Chinese school in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, ignited sharply contrasting reactions from two familiar voices - fiery Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh and conciliatory academic Tajuddin Rasdi.
True to form, Akmal, known for his hardline posturing, questioned whether the school’s apology was sincere or merely performative.
The Merlimau assemblyperson demanded punitive measures, asserting that apologies are no remedy for perceived disrespect.
Stressing that the national flag must be honoured, not desecrated, Akmal decried what he described as a recurring pattern of offence followed by remorse.
“We have long emphasised that severe punishment must be given to those who disrespect the Malaysian flag. There’s no way someone wouldn’t realise the flag is upside down - unless they’re pretending not to know.
“We urge the Education Ministry to take stern action against the perpetrators before this becomes something trivialised, where people just ‘do it first, apologise later’ and think it’s settled,” he said in a Facebook post.
The upside-down Jalur Gemilang at SJKC Chung Hua in Negeri Sembilan
In contrast, Tajuddin urged fairness from the ministry, recalling that it too had committed a flag blunder in the recent past.
“Until now, we the rakyat have no clue what actions were taken,” he added in a statement to Malaysiakini.
The architecture professor was referring to an incorrect depiction of the national flag in an exam results analysis report circulated in April.
That misstep came shortly after similar blunders by two Chinese-language newspapers, which had provoked former education minister Maszlee Malik into calling for accountability.
Invoking Maszlee’s stance, Tajuddin made clear he didn’t think heads should roll this time over the Chinese school’s blunder.
“A statement of an honest mistake has been made by the school, and that is enough for me,” he added.
Yesterday, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek vowed “strict action” against SJKC Chung Hua.
The school has since apologised for the Aug 1 incident.
In a joint statement issued by the school board, administration, and Parent-Teacher Association, it explained that the error occurred during flag installation before the end of working hours.
“However, due to carelessness, one of the flags was installed upside down. This incident was recorded by the public and uploaded to social media.
“The school received the information around 5pm and took corrective measures immediately,” the statement read.
In contrast, Tajuddin urged fairness from the ministry, recalling that it too had committed a flag blunder in the recent past.
“Until now, we the rakyat have no clue what actions were taken,” he added in a statement to Malaysiakini.
The architecture professor was referring to an incorrect depiction of the national flag in an exam results analysis report circulated in April.
That misstep came shortly after similar blunders by two Chinese-language newspapers, which had provoked former education minister Maszlee Malik into calling for accountability.
Invoking Maszlee’s stance, Tajuddin made clear he didn’t think heads should roll this time over the Chinese school’s blunder.
“A statement of an honest mistake has been made by the school, and that is enough for me,” he added.
Yesterday, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek vowed “strict action” against SJKC Chung Hua.
The school has since apologised for the Aug 1 incident.
In a joint statement issued by the school board, administration, and Parent-Teacher Association, it explained that the error occurred during flag installation before the end of working hours.
“However, due to carelessness, one of the flags was installed upside down. This incident was recorded by the public and uploaded to social media.
“The school received the information around 5pm and took corrective measures immediately,” the statement read.
***
Who would be the usual person to raise and lower flags at schools? The School Board Chair, principal, teacher, or school janitor?
All the flags were made in Bullyland, Vietnam or Bangladesh?
ReplyDeleteso?
DeleteU want them to be made in zionist state, mfer!
to avoid similar future blunders and seem as he is so passionate about the jalur gemilang, anwar should immediately appoint him as the minister in charge of flag poles
ReplyDeleteThat it was flown upside down by a SRJK(C) absolutely guarantees the incident to be blown up to huge proportions.
ReplyDeleteThe School Principal, Board are all going to be facing criminal investigation,.and will almost certainly have to quit or be removed.