Penang UMNO Youth has emphasised that incidents involving the Jalur Gemilang being flown upside down or not in line with official guidelines should not be dismissed as minor errors. The movement believes such matters must be addressed seriously and kept free from political spin.
Its chief, Mohd Hilmi Elias, responded to remarks from Batu Kawan DAP, which claimed that certain quarters were politicising the issue. He viewed this stance as an attempt to distract from the real concern — the lack of respect shown towards a symbol of the nation’s sovereignty.
The Jalur Gemilang, he pointed out, embodies the dignity, unity, and sovereignty of the Malaysian people. Whether the mistake occurs intentionally or by accident, flying the national flag incorrectly reflects a disregard for established national protocol. Those responsible, he said, should acknowledge the error and rectify it instead of accusing others of exploiting the matter for political purposes.
Hilmi further noted that such incidents highlight the need to strengthen patriotism education, including teaching the correct procedures for handling national symbols. He called on all political parties and citizens to ensure similar mistakes do not recur. He also remarked that if a rival political group had committed the same error, DAP itself would likely have been outspoken in its condemnation.
According to him, defending the Jalur Gemilang in line with proper guidelines is not about advancing a political agenda but fulfilling a duty shared by all Malaysians. He stressed that any party making a mistake should have the maturity to admit it and learn from the incident rather than shift blame elsewhere.
The matter came to light after a report stated that Batu Kawan DAP Parliamentary Liaison Committee chairman, Chow Kon Yeow, had expressed regret over the situation being played up for political gain, arguing that it negatively influenced public perception. Chow, who is also the Chief Minister of Penang, underscored the importance of displaying the national flag correctly as a reflection of Malaysia’s identity and patriotic spirit.
DAP Batu Kawan maintained that such incidents could be addressed through more humane and constructive approaches rather than fuelling unnecessary controversy. Despite this position, Penang UMNO Youth reiterated its belief that the respect for national symbols is non-negotiable and transcends political divides, urging all sides to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves.
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