KUALA LUMPUR: The act of waving the Israeli flag or pasting Hebrew stickers – which offend the sensitivity of the people and contradict the country’s policy – is unacceptable, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Considering it an act of treason, Anwar agreed that the police should take appropriate action against any individuals involved, so that it serves as a lesson to others.
“There have been several cases recently, be it involving Hebrew writing or waving the flag, which have offended the rakyat’s feelings and is also against the overall national policy transcending political lines.
“This offends the public and goes against the overall national policy. This is a policy that cuts across all parties, including the flag issue. Whatever the intention, it is still wrong,” he said when replying to a question by Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar) in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
It was reported that Melaka police recorded a statement from a retired civil servant who had pasted a Hebrew-language sticker on his four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Last Thursday, state police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar confirmed that a statement was recorded from the 59-year-old man.
The man, who has an interest in foreign language scripts, claimed he got the sticker from a shop in Selangor 13 years ago.
He said he had altered the Hebrew phrase “Israel Betainu”, meaning “Israel is our home” and adapted it by changing “Israel” to “Malaysia”, becoming “Malizia Beiteinu”, meaning “Malaysia is our home”.
The man, who retired four years ago, also lodged a police report after photos of the vehicle went viral on social media.
The case is being investigated under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for causing public fear and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Last Friday, Israeli flags were used during a re-enactment of what had happened to the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) volunteers during their humanitarian mission to Gaza.
The event organisers, Pertubuhan Anak Muda Bangkit Malaysia, has since apologised.
Programme director Mohd Khairul Hafiz Hassan said the flag waving was a gimmick to add to the atmosphere of the reenactment to show what GSF volunteers experienced.
Mohd Khairul said he was ready to cooperate with the authorities in any investigation.
Last Friday’s event, known as the 500-Boat Kelantan Solidarity Flotilla for Gaza, was held along Sungai Kelantan near the Sri Tanjung floating market.
