Police arrest man in Penang over upside-down Malaysia flag
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This is not the first time controversy has surrounded the national flag in 2025.
ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY
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GEORGE TOWN – A 59-year-old man has been arrested over an incident involving Malaysia’s national flag, the Jalur Gemilang, displayed upside down on Aug 9.
State acting police chief Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the suspect was detained on Aug 9 to assist investigations.
“The case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act,” he said in a statement on Aug 10.
Mr Alwi said the police have received 16 reports nationwide, with 12 lodged in Penang and four outside the state.
He said investigation papers will be submitted to the state Deputy Public Prosecutor’s Office on Aug 11 with a recommendation for charges.
He stressed that the police view such acts seriously and will take firm action, while reminding the public to respect the Jalur Gemilang as a symbol of national sovereignty.
The footage is believed to have been recorded in Kepala Batas and prompted a report at the Kepala Batas police station at about 12.30pm on Aug 9.
The 21-second video shows a man waving the Jalur Gemilang mounted upside down on a metal pole while another man films the act.
This is not the first time controversy has surrounded the national flag in 2025.
A primary school in Port Dickson apologised earlier in August after mistakenly hanging it upside down ahead of celebrating Malaysia’s independence.
In April, Malaysian Chinese-language newspaper Sin Chew Daily also had to apologise for publishing an illustration of the flag without a crescent moon
