KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli says Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh’s antics over the upside-down flag controversy are “syok sendiri” (self-indulgent).
He said Malaysians want leaders with direction and purpose, not those who thrive on street protests.
“Bringing a crowd to bully an old man will not solve the issue,” said Rafizi on his Yang Berhenti Menteri podcast.
He added that those politicising the matter are exaggerating its importance.
“It is purely a ‘syok sendiri’ attempt,” he said.
Rafizi added that such tactics would not hold public interest for long, saying the issue has been blown out of proportion.
On Thursday, Dr Akmal led over 300 supporters from Umno, Bersatu and PAS in a 1.4km march against a hardware shop that mistakenly displayed the Jalur Gemilang upside down.
The shop owner, Pang Chin Tian, 59, has apologised, saying it was unintentional, and later raised a larger Malaysian flag outside his store.
Police have confirmed that Dr Akmal is being investigated, with his statement taken on Friday (Aug 15).
