Rep reveals disabled worker behind school's flag blunder
The upside-down national flag incident at a Chinese school in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, was the result of a mistake by a disabled worker.
“I met with the board of governors and the headmaster and was told that the worker was a person with intellectual disability,” said Lukut assemblyperson Choo Ken Hwa.
The upside-down national flag incident at a Chinese school in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, was the result of a mistake by a disabled worker.
“I met with the board of governors and the headmaster and was told that the worker was a person with intellectual disability,” said Lukut assemblyperson Choo Ken Hwa.
“I was told that the flag was immediately brought down after the school realised the mistake,” he told The Star.
The school, SJKC Chung Hua, had earlier issued a public apology for the Aug 1 incident.
In a joint statement by the school board, administration, and Parent-Teacher Association, the error was attributed to a mishap during the flag installation process.
“However, due to carelessness, one of the flags was installed upside down. This incident was recorded by the public and uploaded to social media. The school received the information around 5pm and took corrective measures immediately,” the statement read.
Despite the apology, the backlash has not abated. Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh called for stern action to be taken against those responsible.
30-year-old identified
Port Dickson police chief Maslan Udin confirmed that a 30-year-old suspect had been identified in connection with the case.
“The flag was brought down on the same day. We hope the public will stop circulating the photograph,” he said.
Authorities are investigating the incident under four laws:
Section 504 of the Penal Code - Covers intentional insults likely to provoke a breach of peace or another offence, punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 - Penalises indecent, abusive, or threatening behaviour likely to disturb public peace.
Section 5 of the Emblems and Names Act 1963 - Prohibits unauthorised use of protected emblems or names, with penalties of up to RM20,000 in fines, three years in prison, or both.
Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 - Criminalises the transmission of offensive or false content intended to annoy, abuse, or harass, carrying fines and potential jail time.
This marks the fifth national flag blunder in recent months, ironically including one by the Education Ministry itself. The ministry has vowed strict action over the latest incident.
