Don T Fear Flying Jalur Gemilang Despite Upside Down Incident Minister

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National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang has reassured the public that they should not feel afraid or hesitant to display the Jalur Gemilang despite the recent incident of the flag being hung upside down.
“Instead, we should take this opportunity to learn and understand the correct procedures for flying the Jalur Gemilang.
"I encourage all citizens to continue supporting the Communications Ministry’s ‘One House, One Jalur Gemilang’ campaign in conjunction with National Month celebrations as a sign of love and patriotism towards the country,” he said in a statement today.
Aaron expressed regret over the incident in Penang where a shop owner had wrongly displayed the national flag, describing it as inappropriate and capable of tarnishing the country’s patriotic image.
ADSHe stressed that it is against the proper procedures for hoisting the national flag, as stipulated in the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963.
Keep calm, leave probe to police
However, he urged the public not to rush to conclusions before investigations are complete, noting that the matter could have been intentional or the result of carelessness or ignorance about proper flag etiquette.
“I urge all parties - individuals, politicians, and others - to calm the situation by avoiding any provocative statements or actions that could worsen matters,” he said.
Aaron added that the matter should be left to the authorities to investigate and determine the appropriate action or penalties, stressing that it should serve as a lesson to better understand and respect national symbols.
The latest flag blunder went viral yesterday after a Facebook user, under the name Nazirul Hafiz, posted a 20-second video in which a hardware shop owner from Penang, Feng Jin Zhen, is seen carrying the flag upside down on a pole, while another man records him.
State acting police chief Alwi Zainal Abidin confirmed Feng's arrest, but it remains unclear if he would be charged as the police would be referring the investigation paper to the deputy public prosecutor today.
Yesterday, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh postponed his plans to “educate” Feng on how to display the Jalur Gemilang after the businessperson’s arrest, while Umno Youth also postponed its plan to hold the “Maruah Tanah Airku” rally.
The case was investigated under Section 5 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1988.
On Aug 9, Kwong Wah reported that Feng had explained that he was measuring the length of an iron pole while hanging the national flag and did not notice the error.
Aaron said his ministry has also instructed the National Unity and Integration Department to run awareness campaigns in Rukun Tetangga areas, as well as through the Rukun Negara Clubs and Secretariat, to ensure the public fully understands the correct way to hoist the national flag as a symbol of patriotism and unity. - Mkini

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