Public Urged To Avoid Flag-Related Gathering in Kepala Batas Tomorrow 

GEORGE TOWN, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Penang police advise the public not to participate in any gathering tomorrow at a hardware store in Kepala Batas, which recently went viral on social media for flying the national flag, the Jalur Gemilang, upside down.  

Penang Police Chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said the advice was aimed at ensuring the safety of local residents and maintaining public order.  

“The police urge all parties to be patient and wait for the decision of the Public Prosecutor’s Office (regarding further instructions on the investigation of the case) and not to take any action that could trigger any form of tension.  

“The police will take stern action against any party that violates the law or commits breaches of the peace, disorder, riots or crimes under the existing legal provisions,” he said in a statement today.  

Today, a social media post inviting the public to join the gathering went viral.  

Meanwhile, Azizee said a total of 38 police reports had been lodged nationwide regarding the case, and investigations were also being conducted on individuals who recorded and disseminated the video under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.  

Yesterday, the owner of the hardware store, Pang Chin Tian, 59, who went viral for flying the Jalur Gemilang upside down, said he was prepared to accept any legal action to be taken against him.  

He admitted that the mistake was unintentional and took responsibility for the incident which occurred last Saturday, and pledged to be more careful in installing the Jalur Gemilang in the future.  

-- BERNAMA