Fear Flags And The Politics Of Impunity

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Former Subang Jaya assemblyperson Lee Hwa Beng has not raised the national flag in his house in conjunction with Merdeka Day. He gave a plausible explanation on social media.
“I dare not put up the Jalur Gemilang this year as I have been doing the past 21 years. Fear of being called up for whatever reason, such as being too old, dirty due to exposure, or (what if) the wind blows the flag upside down, not upright enough, etc.
“So, not putting the flag up this year… not being (un)patriotic, but (from) fear of being charged.”
Similar sentiments have been expressed on social media, and no amount of assurances or cajoling will change this, because the self-appointed brigade of flag inspectors is on the prowl.
But how is patriotism measured? A man who flew the flag on his car, in his residence, and in his office, stole millions from the people. Is flying the flag once a year just a display of patriotism?
What began as inadvertent errors has been amplified by Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh’s inflammatory rhetoric, igniting a frenzy of digital vigilantes hunting for any pretext to gain social media fame. Meanwhile, others scour archives and comb the internet for so-called “treasures” from the past.
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal SalehOthers are counting the white and red stripes and the number of points in the star on the flag. Judging from photographs on social media, even government departments and agencies gaffed at one time or another. The most glaring of them was a “victory” photograph of a Malaysian sports team, which had the flag inverted.
Two wrongs do not make a right, but what they hope to achieve is to point out the double standards when it comes to such mistakes with the flag.
Threats made with impunity
Akmal’s grandstanding and threats with racial undertones have upped the ante and threatened to spill out on the streets.
Political leaders watched with arms folded while minnows exchanged words with Akmal as he issued threats and an ultimatum - even to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to charge the hardware store owner within two days, failing which he would mobilise his party members.
It is an assault on due process. He has no locus to direct the AGC on what to do next by giving them “two days”, as the duties of the attorney-general or the deputy public prosecutor are to study, scrutinise, and peruse the case first to establish if there is sufficient evidence, including malicious intention.
Former deputy law minister and current Bukit Gelugor MP, Ramkarpal Singh, expressed similar sentiments in Parliament on Wednesday.
“Recently, we saw how the Umno Youth leader issued many statements that are extreme and excessive, containing elements of threats and incitement that are divisive and racially tinged, which could threaten public order.
“But until now, there has been no action by the authorities against Akmal. Why is that?” he asked.
The DAP lawmaker questioned whether Akmal enjoyed any immunity from investigation or prosecution.
He also stressed that issuing an “ultimatum” to the AGC to charge someone within a set timeframe was inappropriate and placed undue pressure on the investigative process.
“In my opinion, several possible offences may have been committed, including criminal intimidation under Section 503 of the Penal Code; intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace under Section 504; statements conducing to public mischief under Section 505; and possible offences under the Sedition Act,” Ramkarpal said.
This is not the first time this rabble rouser has issued threats. Last year, he posted a picture of himself on Facebook, wielding a traditional Japanese sword.
When he was arrested in Kota Kinabalu, guess who came to his rescue? While Akmal, in a Facebook post, said he was arrested at the Kota Kinabalu police headquarters, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim “clarified” that he was not arrested but called “to facilitate an investigation”.
Rising violence, selective enforcement
Yesterday, in Parliament, Anwar expressed deep concern over the rise of extreme behaviours in the country, citing recent violent incidents such as the assault on the son of Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli and cases of bullying that have resulted in deaths.
“This culture is deeply worrying. I give my assurance, as stated by the home minister and the police, that they will act swiftly, decisively, and transparently to take action and put an end to this harmful culture,” Bernama quoted him as saying.
Yes, they are worrying for all Malaysians indeed. But when will action match rhetoric? Why was Akmal’s flag crusade allowed to escalate?
When the laws of the land are not enforced uniformly, the public is entitled to form its own opinions
We, lesser mortals, can only watch as there appears to be selective prosecution, as we have seen in the cases of preachers Firdaus Wong and Zamri Vinoth, where the “excuse” given has been “lack of evidence”.
Until enforcement is uniform, the Jalur Gemilang flies not for unity, but as a banner of hypocrisy.
Will there be any change? - Mkini
R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who strives to uphold the ethos of civil rights leader John Lewis: “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.” Comments: [email protected].
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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