UMNO deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has joined party colleagues in backing Youth chief Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh’s firm stance against the Kepala Batas businessman who flew the Jalur Gemilang upside down.
Earlier, UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi had already come to Akmal’s defence, lauding his patriotism for protesting at the Penang hardware store.
Yesterday, Mohamad cautioned against making Akmal the sole target of enforcement, stressing that the law must apply fairly to all. He also warned that mocking national symbols could stir public anger.
Defending Akmal’s rally as a peaceful one despite provocation, Mohamad took the chance to remind the DAP and its youth wing, DAPSY, to act with rationality.
DAPSY had urged Pakatan Harapan leaders to cut ties with Akmal after the rally, a call to which the UMNO Youth chief retorted that such a move would effectively mean severing ties with UMNO itself.
“I hope everyone remains calm. The police already summoned Akmal to give a statement,” he reportedly said after launching the Rembau UMNO Wanita, Youth and Puteri divisional meetings in Seremban on Saturday.
On Akmal’s rally in Kepala Batas, Mohamad maintained that the Merlimau assemblyperson had gone there with a “peaceful mission” and was not seeking to create chaos.
“However, he was provoked, and fortunately nothing untoward happened,” he said, according to Sinar Harian.
He also emphasised that political stability is crucial for attracting investors, warning that trivial issues should not escalate into national instability.
“The law on flag installation already exists. If someone puts up the flag incorrectly, the necessary action should be taken.
“We cannot only act against one party while letting others off. If UMNO Youth has to take matters into their own hands, then what’s the point of having enforcement agencies?” he asked.
On the other hand, Puad argued that displaying the flag incorrectly, even unintentionally, showed apathy and deserved reprimand.
He dismissed criticism that Akmal’s actions were “political gangsterism,” stressing the gathering was peaceful.
Akmal, who faces police action for defying orders, said he was ready to be punished in defence of national dignity.
Puad added that attempts to suppress such patriotism were misguided, calling critics the “real hoodlums.”
Meanwhile, Damansara UMNO Youth Committee member Ali Amir Razali also chipped in to defend Akmal’s actions, saying the latter is a ‘real leader’ who is not ‘yielding an inch’ in the face of intimidation.
“Not merely writing on social media, he faces reality on the ground. This is an example of a young leader who is neither afraid nor intimidated, and who will not yield even an inch when the nation’s dignity is challenged,” he said in a statement to UMNO Online.
Nevertheless, Mohamad Hasan got a bashing from Malaysiakini subscribers who, in droves, criticised his statements on Akmal.
Many felt he was criticising the wrong people, pointing out that the businessman had already apologised and explained the flag was only raised briefly to take measurements before being properly installed.
User GP2025 wrote: “Akmal provoked? He didn’t provoke Chinese sentiments by bullying and intimidating a shop owner who made a mistake about flying the Malaysian flag?
“There’s no basis for Akmal’s anger. There was no intentional crime. And Tok May is defending him? Do these leaders have a moral compass?”
Some users like SRMan are also criticising the foreign minister for saying the laws must be upheld, which they think only applies to some.
“Mohamad Hasan, your stance seems contradictory. On one hand, you maintained that existing laws must be enforced so that people continue to respect the law and do not act as they please. However, on the other hand, you supported the Merlimau assemblyperson’s supposedly “peaceful mission” all the way to Penang to teach others the correct way of hanging a flag.”
One user ‘OrangePanther1466’ thought the minister only added more pain to the matter when he spoke.
“Mat Hassan, it would have been better if you had not spoken. If you have nothing intelligent to say, zip it up.
“That young man is having you eating out of his palm by putting you in a position of having to defend his actions.
“You are a national leader, so act like one. Being bias does not endear you to the people.” —Aug 17, 2025
Main image: Bernama
