Flag gaffes: Perkasa holds PAS to same standard as Sin Chew
Malay rights group Perkasa has urged authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the misrepresentation of the Jalur Gemilang on a promotional poster for a Terengganu state government programme.
Its president Syed Hasan Syed Ali said issues involving national symbols must be dealt with fairly, regardless of political affiliation.
Summary
Perkasa wants equal treatment for PAS and Sin Chew over their respective Jalur Gemilang blunders, saying all cases involving national symbols should be investigated fairly.
Cops are probing the PAS incident under several laws after multiple police reports were lodged over the matter.
Malay rights group Perkasa is holding PAS to the same standard as Sin Chew Daily when it comes to botched Jalur Gemilang designs.
Its president Syed Hasan Syed Ali said issues involving national symbols must be dealt with fairly, regardless of political affiliation.
“Sensitive issues like this, which seem to have violated regulations or the law, must be treated the same.
“If PAS made a mistake, the police must investigate – just investigate.
“If the Chinese paper was questioned, the Education Ministry was investigated, and there were flag issues at the baby food fest… this (PAS case) is no different,” Syed Hasan (above) told Malaysiakini after a press conference for the “Himpunan Melayu Berdaulat” event in Kuala Lumpur today.
Last month, Sin Chew was the first of multiple bodies to publish botched graphics of the national flag.
Perkasa, in response, had staged a protest outside Sin Chew’s office, pressing them to sack two editorial members held accountable for the gaffe, as an apology was not enough.
Last week, it was PAS' turn to catch heat, after its Terengganu chapter published a design containing another botched Jalur Gemilang, which it then apologised for.
Cops probing case under multiple laws
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan had said the Islamist party supported a transparent, fair, and firm police probe into the matter to ensure that such insensitivity, negligence, or errors are not repeated.
“PAS agrees and concedes that an apology alone, without stricter action, should not be normalised as a solution for such mistakes,” he added.
Police are investigating the case under Section 4(1)(b) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, and Section 3(1)(c) of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act (Amendment) 2017.
Meanwhile, Syed Hasan said any deliberate act, such as raising a political party flag on government premises, must also be investigated transparently.
“I’m not defending anyone. If you think it warrants an investigation, then conduct a proper one.
“If wrongdoing is found, then take action,” he added.
