A DAP lawmaker has accused the police of applying double standards in their handling of two separate incidents involving Malaysian flags at a factory in Johor and a Kuala Terengganu City Council (MBKT) premises.
Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng said a Nepalese security guard and a Malaysian woman were arrested and remanded for four days after the Jalur Gemilang and Johor state flag were allegedly displayed upside down at a factory in Johor.
He contrasted the case with an incident involving MBKT, where a Jalur Gemilang was displayed without the crescent and star. The council later attributed the issue to a technical problem, and the flag was replaced without any arrests being made.
“The flag was simply replaced and no arrests were made. This clearly raises the question of double standards. Why are ordinary people immediately arrested while government bodies only have to offer an explanation?” Lim said in a statement.
He also questioned why the Malaysian woman was remanded if the Nepalese security guard had allegedly been detained over immigration-related offences.
Lim called on Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail to explain the police action based on the law, stressing that enforcement should be applied consistently regardless of whether those involved were members of the public or government agencies.
In the Johor case, police said the Nepalese security guard was believed to have installed the flags upside down after receiving them from the woman, who allegedly instructed him to put them up.
Police are investigating the incident under several provisions involving the improper use of official emblems, minor offences, public mischief, misuse of communications networks and immigration offences.
The factory was also temporarily ordered to close by the Kulai Municipal Council.
Meanwhile, Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar described the MBKT flag incident as an unintentional and isolated mistake, although he said an investigation would be carried out.
Kuala Terengganu mayor Lizan Che Mat later explained that the flag had originally been complete, but the stitching holding the crescent and star had reportedly come loose due to strong winds.
