A video lasting eight minutes and 13 seconds recently went viral on social media, showing a group of individuals lowering the Malaysian national flag, the Jalur Gemilang, and raising the flags of Sabah and Sarawak in its place. The incident took place in front of the Victoria Parliament building in Melbourne, Australia, and has sparked significant controversy, particularly in Malaysia.
In response to the video, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has launched an investigation under the Sedition Act 1948 and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. The video has stirred intense reactions, leading to the filing of multiple police reports. According to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, preliminary investigations revealed that the event took place on September 16, a date of historical significance as it marks Malaysia Day. This day commemorates the formation of Malaysia in 1963, which included the states of Sabah and Sarawak joining the Federation.
The individuals in the video reportedly staged the act as a symbolic gesture to protest what they described as Malaysia’s colonisation of Sabah and Sarawak. By lowering the Jalur Gemilang and hoisting the flags of Sabah and Sarawak, they seemingly implied their desire for the two states to become independent republics, ending what they see as an unjust relationship within the Malaysian Federation.
During a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Police Training Centre, Razarudin disclosed that the police had received a total of 35 reports regarding the incident. Of these, 34 reports were lodged in Sabah, with one report filed in Kuala Lumpur. He also noted that investigations revealed the video had been circulated by a Malaysian social media user with an address in Sabah.
Further scrutiny into the suspect's background uncovered that he had two prior criminal records, one under Section 500 of the Penal Code for criminal defamation and another under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which pertains to the improper use of network facilities. The suspect had also previously faced charges in an unrelated case in Kota Kinabalu, where he was out on bail of RM3,000, pending a court mention in November.
The police are now looking into possible connections between the individual behind the video’s circulation and the people involved in the actual flag-lowering act in Melbourne. Razarudin emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that authorities are committed to identifying all those involved.
The video, which drew swift attention across various social media platforms, has reignited discussions about the political status of Sabah and Sarawak within Malaysia. While the states were granted a degree of autonomy when they joined the Federation, there have been long-standing grievances, particularly regarding issues such as revenue-sharing from natural resources and perceived imbalances in development efforts.
As the investigation continues, the incident highlights the sensitive nature of national symbols like the flag and the broader, unresolved debates about regional autonomy and identity in Malaysia. The replacement of the Jalur Gemilang with the Sabah and Sarawak flags has struck a chord with many Malaysians, prompting both public and official responses, as authorities move forward with legal actions under sedition and communications laws.
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