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THE Bukit Mertajam Magistrates’ Court has fixed 10 November for the next mention of the case involving UMNO Youth Chief, Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who is facing charges over a social media statement alleged to have caused public alarm and posed a threat to public order.
Magistrate Nurul Rasyidah Mohd Akit set the date during proceedings on Monday to allow the prosecution more time to submit additional documents.
Dr Akmal, 37, arrived at the court complex at 8.30am accompanied by his legal team led by Datuk Mohd Imran Tamrin. The prosecution was represented by State Prosecution Director Datuk Nazran Mohd Sham, alongside Lee Jung Keong and Nor Shakila Dahari.
The charge concerns a Facebook post on Akmal’s official account dated 11 August at 3pm, which was viewed and heard by a member of the public at the Bukit Mertajam MP’s service centre in Precinct 1, Sunway Wellesley.
In the video, Dr Akmal is alleged to have urged the Attorney General’s Chambers to take legal action within two days against an individual who had displayed the Malaysian flag upside down. He further stated that if no action was taken, he would personally "teach" the man—whom he referred to as “apek”—how to properly hang the flag.
Prosecutors claim the statement could have incited public unrest and encouraged others to breach the peace.
Dr Akmal, who also serves as the Merlimau State Assemblyman and a Melaka State Executive Councillor, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read in court on 22 August. The offence is framed under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which deals with statements likely to cause public alarm or incite offences against public tranquillity.
On 14 August, it was reported that Akmal had led a march involving more than 300 individuals from UMNO, BERSATU and PAS to protest against a hardware store in Kepala Batas accused of displaying the national flag upside down. - September 22, 2025