PETALING JAYA: Terengganu PKR Youth has accused Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh of practising 'double standards' in responding to errors involving the Jalur Gemilang.
In a statement, its chief Md Asyraf Zulfadhly Md Zainudin said Dr Akmal’s reaction to Terengganu Umno Youth was hypocritical compared to his earlier response to a similar incident in Port Dickson.
“It is disappointing that in this case, the blame was shifted to another party (the poster designer).
“As one of the key youth wings in the unity government, we believe any content released should be vetted beforehand, especially when it involves sensitive matters.
“Terengganu PKR Youth condemns Dr Akmal’s actions, as he was previously seen to be highly provocative and to have bullied ordinary citizens through various unwarranted statements, while the same reaction was absent when a similar error was committed by Umno Youth members themselves,” he said.
He said the focus of youth wings in the unity government should be on strengthening public support without politicising issues from the outset, as well as building public confidence regardless of race or religion.
“We will not compromise on any ‘double standard’ practices, especially when they involve ordinary citizens,” it added.
On Aug 12, Terengganu Umno Youth received brickbats online after posting an image of the Jalur Gemilang with only 12 stripes.
This came in the wake of their recent criticism of others for making similar mistakes.
In a later Facebook video, Dr Akmal called on the authorities to investigate and prosecute the Terengganu Umno Youth member who produced the poster showing the Jalur Gemilang with the wrong number of stripes.
“There are two stripes missing, and I have confirmed the mistake came from the person who designed the poster. We take responsibility,” he said.
Dr Akmal stressed that he would not excuse the error, despite it coming from within his own ranks.
On Aug 9, a 59-year-old hardware shop owner in Kepala Batas, Penang, was investigated after the national flag was found hanging upside down outside his shop.
The shop owner said it was an unintentional mistake made while measuring a flagpole, which he corrected shortly after.
Dr Akmal had announced plans to stage a protest at the shop, but the gathering did not take place after police were stationed in the area and advised against it.
