Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) refers to the statement issued by Umno’s youth wing chief Akmal Saleh who has announced that he and “his friends” will go to a shop in Kepala Batas, Penang tomorrow [10 August] to “teach” the owner of the store how to properly put up a Jalur Gemilang (Malaysian flag).
This is nothing short of bullying, vigilantism and a public call for mob action. It is unacceptable, dangerous and racially divisive.
It is shocking to all right-thinking people that an elected assembly member and a member of the “Madani” (civil and compassionate) government is allowed to rile up the public and muster a mob to intimidate and harass an ordinary member of the public on the absurd excuse that he wants to ‘educate’ him.
Where is the voice of the Madani leaders in this? Do they think this is acceptable conduct?
Akmal is manufacturing outrage and making a mountain out of a molehill for political gain.
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The shop owner has given a credible explanation and has even apologised for the mistake, but Akmal deliberately ignores this.
As a high-ranking member within Umno, a political party within the Madani government, Akmal’s statements on this issue should be viewed as serious threats to the peace and tranquillity of the nation. A mainstream politician calling for a mob to carry out acts of vigilantism is a ticking time bomb. It should not be allowed to happen.
What Akmal and ‘his friends’ are planning also amount to several criminal offences under the Penal Code, including criminal intimidation (Section 503), intentional insult (Section 504) and making statements conducive to public mischief (Section 505) and criminal trespass. He had better reconsider his outrageous plan.
The government must step in and take action. They cannot keep silent. The Madani government, having called for racial unity throughout its tenure, cannot allow one of its own leaders to continue to create racial tension amongst Malaysian society.
If Akmal and his cohorts are unsatisfied, I call them to meet with me instead and debate the flag issue instead of harassing, insulting and intimidating ordinary people. Leave the poor shop owner alone.
LFL is prepared to educate them on why they are utterly wrong on this, and what national unity and patriotism really means. – LFL
Zaid Malek is the director of Lawyers For Liberty.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Well said! Need to call out a bully as he is
What about the police stations doing the same
So Akmal is above the law on 3R???