A DAP MP has questioned the police over what he described as possible ‘double standards’ in their handling of two separate flag incidents involving a factory in Johor and the Kuala Terengganu City Council.
Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng said a Nepali security guard and a Malaysian woman were arrested and remanded for four days after the Malaysian and Johor flags at a factory in Johor were installed upside down.
However, he said no arrests were made after the Kuala Terengganu City Council flew a Jalur Gemilang that was missing the crescent and star.
The local council had initially attributed the incident to a ‘technical mistake’.
Lim questions differing police action
Lim said the flag in the Terengganu case was replaced without any arrests being made, raising questions over the differing response.
He questioned why ordinary individuals were immediately arrested while government bodies only needed to provide an explanation.
He also asked why the Malaysian woman had been remanded if the Nepali security guard in the Johor case had been arrested over immigration offences.
Lim called on Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail to explain the matter based on legal facts.
He said the police should not take firm action against ordinary Malaysians while remaining silent when alleged negligence involved government bodies.
Johor case involves multiple investigations
In the Johor incident, police said the Nepali security guard was believed to have installed the flags upside down after the Malaysian woman handed the flags to him and instructed him to put them up.
The case is being investigated for the improper use of official emblems, minor offences, public mischief, misuse of communications networks and immigration offences.
The factory was also temporarily closed by the Kulai Municipal Council.
Terengganu incident described as unintentional
Meanwhile, the Terengganu incident was described by Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar as unintentional and isolated, although he said an investigation would be carried out.
Kuala Terengganu Mayor Lizan Che Mat said the Jalur Gemilang had originally been complete.
However, she said the stitching holding the crescent and star had come undone because of strong winds.
