UMNO Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has called on authorities to investigate and take stern action against a member accused of posting an incorrect version of the Malaysian flag.
Previously vocal in criticising a Penang hardware store for flying the flag upside down, Akmal admitted the latest mistake came from an individual who designed a poster for UMNO Youth Terengganu. The poster showed only 12 red-and-white stripes instead of the correct 14.
“I will not apologise on their behalf, even though they are from UMNO Youth Terengganu. I only ask them to apologise to the public, and I urge the police to investigate and punish them. Regardless of who you are, your race or political affiliation — wrong is wrong,” Akmal said in a Facebook video.
The controversy began when UMNO Youth Terengganu uploaded a poster condemning the Penang flag incident and calling for justice for the late Sabah student Zara Qairina Mahathir. However, the erroneous flag depiction sparked widespread criticism.
Several Facebook users mocked and criticised Akmal:
- “Oi Akmal Saleh, teach your own team how to draw the flag before teaching others how to hang it… shameful.” (Josh Lim)
- “When others make mistakes, you go on-site and threaten to ‘teach’ them; when your own members make mistakes, you let police handle it — that’s double standards.” (Uncle Lim)
- “As UMNO Youth chief, you should take full responsibility for your subordinates’ mistakes and resign.” (Yang Yu)
- “Saya ulang, let them be with their shortcomings… let’s put the Malaysian flag everywhere correctly.” (Jeffnordin)
The original image was deleted at 12.55pm today and replaced with a corrected version.
The comments section was polarised, with some demanding Akmal personally teach Terengganu members to draw the correct flag, others calling for stern punishment, and some supporting his consistent stance on respecting national symbols.
