Ridiculous Latheefa Slams Clinic Closure Over Flag Blunder

---

 


Lawyers for Liberty co-founder Latheefa Koya has expressed dismay over the Pontian Municipal Council’s move to shutter a private dental clinic for 30 days after it was found flying the Jalur Gemilang upside down.
The former MACC chief commissioner slammed the Johor local authority’s move as “arbitrary and high-handed”, cautioning that this could lead to the public developing negative connotations of the national flag.
“The local authority has exceeded the bounds of the by-laws, (while) the closure action is ultra vires (beyond one’s legal power or authority) and unlawful.
“It’s ridiculous to close the premises because of the flag error; the error is unconnected and incommensurate with the closure punishment,” Latheefa (above) said in an X post.
She stressed that due to the closure order, innocent dental patients will “suffer” most now as they will have to reschedule their treatment, some of which could be for urgent procedures.
“At this rate, come Merdeka Day, you will only see government buildings flying the flag, with private citizens and businesses fearing (to do so). No one can blame the people for that,” Latheefa added.
Meanwhile, in a differing stance on the matter, Umno supreme council member Puad Zarkashi rejected any attempt to link the order to close the dental clinic as “Zionism” or “bullying”.
Umno supreme council member Puad ZarkashiHis remarks were understood to be referring to a recent incident where Umno Youth members gathered for a protest calling for action against a shopowner in Penang who hoisted the national flag upside down.
Other parties who turned up in a counterprotest had brandished placards labelling the protesters as Zionists and bullies.
Presidential power
Earlier today, Pontian Municipal Council president Abdul Azim Shamsuddin reportedly said the closure notice was issued to the clinic at around 8.20am this morning.
He said the move was taken after checks found the premises had breached the council’s 2019 Business and Trade Licensing By-Laws, which include requirements on the proper display of national and state flags.
Noting that the owner may submit a written appeal during the closure period, Azim added that the closure order was made under by-law 49(2), which empowers the president to close any premises that violate licensing conditions or by-laws.
The incident came to light after a 33-second video went viral showing an upside-down Jalur Gemilang on the second floor of a three-storey shoplot, while the Johor state flag was correctly displayed beside it.
Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan, who is also deputy works minister, has since urged calm, assuring that the flag’s position has already been corrected. - Mkini

---