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DAP Selangor has criticised what it described as the bullying behaviour of UMNO Youth Chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, accusing him of stoking fear and division in Malaysian society over an unintentional mistake involving the national flag.
THE party’s state chairman Ng Sze Han said the recent incident, where a hardware store was found to have mistakenly displayed an inverted Jalur Gemilang, should have been addressed with civility rather than exploited for political mileage.
“Love for one’s country should unite, not divide. An honest mistake ought to be corrected with courtesy, not manipulated to incite hatred or gain publicity,” Ng said in a statement on Saturday.
He stressed that patriotism should go beyond merely displaying the national flag correctly. True patriotism, he said, lies in building society, strengthening the economy, and fostering racial harmony.
Ng also emphasised that Malaysia’s greatest strength lies in its ethnic cohesion, while inciting racial tensions constitutes a betrayal of the nation’s future.
“DAP Selangor fully supports the stance of DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke that deliberate misuse of the national flag warrants legal action.
“However, resorting to threats or public shaming is not a solution. It damages goodwill and stands in opposition to the principles of the rule of law,” he added.
To reaffirm its commitment to national pride, Ng announced that DAP Selangor will embark on a Jalur Gemilang distribution campaign involving Members of Parliament, State Assembly members, local councillors, and village heads.
He called on all Malaysians — including business owners and associations — to fly the Jalur Gemilang with pride and courage as a symbol of mature and inclusive patriotism.
“Together, let us safeguard Malaysia’s harmony and prosperity for generations to come,” he said. - August 16, 2025