“BETTER to pay fine for not flying the Jalur Gemilang than to be forced to close down for 30 days. Harsh punishment for some, others maaf zahir batin jer … not good for national unity ya. 😰”
Such was the reaction by semi-retired journalist-turned-political observer Andrew Sia to a report by social news site World of Buzz that the dental clinic in the centre of the flag gaffe incident in Johor has been ordered to shut for 30 days by the Pontian Municipal Council (MPPn).
“It has become HIGH RISK with only hatred and harsh punishment for some …. This only makes people FEAR the flag la, not loving it,” the former environment editor of The Star penned on his Facebook page.
“Double standards in enforcement, only creates perpecahan negara (national disintegration) … Was the Terengganu UMNO Youth closed down 30 days for its flag blunder? One week? One day even? The Penang hardware store uncle was arrested. How about UMNO Youth?”
Editor’s Note: UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh was never arrested although he was charged at the Bukit Mertajam magistrate’s court this morning (Aug 22) where he pleaded not guilty for his Facebook statement deemed to threaten public order.
For the record, the notice of closure was issued to the dental clinic’s owner at 8.20am yesterday (Aug 21), according to MPPn president Abd Azim Shamsuddin.
“Every licensed premises under the by-laws is required to fly the Jalur Gemilang or the Johor state flag correctly and properly for a set period, including during the Merdeka month,” Berita Harian cited him as saying.
“The closure action was taken under By-Law 49 (2) which empowers the president to shut down any premises that violates licensing conditions.”
The Malaysiakini columnist went on to sarcastically question “why amplify 100 times like it’s derhaka (treason) when the true traitors who are corrupt are ignored and even diampu bodek (praised and glorified)”.
“That is NOT patriotism,” he gleefully declared. “I really feel 30 days closure is overkill … when the corrupt escape without single day of jail. Who harms the country more?”
At the end of the day, Sia cautioned business owners against potential saboteurs.
“Be careful if u have any disgruntled employees … It’s now very easy to sabotage your business,” he advised.
“Make sure you’ve CCTVs everywhere and only authorised staff can hang up the flag … Nobody else should touch it … can be used for mischief.”
This ‘red alert’ resonates with that of DAP Federal Territory treasurer Ben Fong Kok Seng who claimed that many business operators in Kuala Lumpur, especially in Bukit Bintang, “are now hesitant to fly the national flag in conjunction with the forthcoming Merdeka Day due to fear of backlash”. – Aug 22, 2025
