KEPALA BATAS: Police detained the owner of a hardware store after a viral video showed the Jalur Gemilang being flown upside down in front of his shop here.
Acting Penang police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the 59-year-old man was detained on Saturday night.
He said police have so far received 16 reports over the incident – 12 lodged in the state and four outside Penang.
“The investigation papers will be referred to the Penang deputy public prosecutor’s office tomorrow (today) with a proposed charge,” he said in a statement yesterday, Bernama reported.
The case is being investigated under Section 5 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1988.
DCP Mohd Alwi said police viewed such acts seriously and reminded the public to respect the Jalur Gemilang as a symbol of national sovereignty.
On Saturday, a 21-second video went viral on social media showing two men at a hardware store who appeared to have deliberately hoisted the Jalur Gemilang upside down, drawing public outrage.
Following this, several non-governmental organisations and Bertam assemblyman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican lodged police reports.
