School apologises for upside down Jalur Gemilang
Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025
By: FMT Text Size: 'Due to carelessness, one of the flags was hoisted upside down,' it was quoted as saying in a statement posted on the school's Facebook page. SEREMBAN: SJKC Chung Hua in Port Dickson has apologised for mistakenly flying the Jalur Gemilang flag upside down at the school last Friday. The school, in a joint statement with the school board and parents-teachers association (PIBG), expressed regret for the incident, attributing it to staff oversight, Bernama reported. 'The incident occurred on the afternoon of Aug 1, when a school employee was installing national flags before the end of the workday. 'Due to carelessness, one of the flags was hoisted upside down,' it was quoted as saying in a statement posted on the school's Facebook page. The school said it was alerted about the error at around 5pm and immediately rectified it, acknowledging public concern following the circulation of photos of the flag on social media. SJKC Chung Hua said it remains committed to respecting national symbols and will improve internal oversight to avoid future incidents. Meanwhile, education minister Fadhlina Sedek said that stern action will be taken against the school after a full investigation is completed and the report is submitted to the ministry, BuletinTV3 reported. 'We are currently awaiting the full investigation, and I want to emphasise that once we receive the report, action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation. Fadhlina said that her ministry has repeatedly reminded all parties about this issue, and the same problem should not have happened again. 'I constantly stress the importance of sensitivity, responsibility, and commitment when it comes to the Jalur Gemilang, especially as we approach National Day. This mistake should not have occurred,' she said after an event in Kota Bharu today, according to BuletinTV3. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sinar Daily
3 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
DAP leaders urge forgiveness, Umno Youth demands 'stern action' over flag incident
The latest controversy, an upside-down flag flown at a Chinese primary school in Port Dickson, has once again stirred public outrage, with political voices now calling for calm. Coming just weeks before National Day, the incident has raised uncomfortable questions: Are national symbols being treated with the respect they deserve? Why do such errors keep recurring in vernacular schools? - Bernama photo for illustration purpose only SHAH ALAM – From missing stripes to misplaced colours, Malaysia's beloved Jalur Gemilang has seen its share of design mishaps. The latest controversy, an upside-down flag flown at a Chinese primary school in Port Dickson, has once again stirred public outrage, with political voices now calling for calm. The incident occurred at a Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) in Port Dickson, where a worker mistakenly hoisted the national flag in reverse. Images quickly went viral, reigniting public frustration over repeated blunders involving the country's most important national symbol. Coming just weeks before National Day, the incident has raised uncomfortable questions: Are national symbols being treated with the respect they deserve? Why do such errors keep recurring in vernacular schools? DAP Lukut state assemblyman Choo Ken Hwa confirmed that the flag was flown upside down, but quickly clarified that the mistake was made by a mentally disabled worker. "This happened because the headmaster had engaged a worker with an intellectual disability and he was the one who put up the flags around the school. "He used an old flag, and when putting it up, it was placed upside down. After being informed by the public, the flag was taken down within two hours," Choo said in the 15th Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly. Choo went further, urging the public to stop spreading the image and not to blow the issue out of proportion. "I was on the ground that day. I personally coordinated the programme with the school and PIBG. This is not a matter to go viral," he said, urging that the issue be forgiven and forgotten. Many Malaysians are not so quick to forget. The upside-down flag, universally recognised as a sign of distress or disrespect, has appeared before in similar contexts, often involving Chinese schools. DAP Secretary-General Anthony Loke echoed the sentiment, warning against politicising the matter. 'Every time something like this happens, there will be people who try to make it political. I believe this was just a mistake. The Education Ministry is investigating whether it was intentional or not. There is no need for any party to take advantage of this for political gain,' Loke told reporters after launching the Merdeka Month celebrations in Seremban. Loke also reminded all Malaysians to treat the Jalur Gemilang with respect, especially during National Month. 'We always remind everyone, when we fly the Jalur Gemilang, do it correctly and respectfully. Sensitivity is important,' he said, adding that schools should set the right example in fostering patriotism. The school involved, SJKC Chung Hua, has since issued a public apology for the mistake, with both the PIBG and Board of Governors expressing regret over the incident. Despite apologies from the school and DAP leaders, the backlash has not abated. Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has called for stern action to be taken against those responsible. Port Dickson police chief Maslan Udin confirmed that a 30-year-old suspect has been identified in connection with the case. 'The flag was brought down on the same day. We hope the public will stop circulating the photograph,' he said. Authorities are investigating the incident under four separate laws: Section 504 of the Penal Code — Intentional insult likely to provoke a breach of peace or another offence (up to two years' imprisonment, a fine, or both). Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 — Indecent, abusive, or threatening behaviour likely to disturb public peace. Section 5 of the Emblems and Names Act 1963 — Prohibits unauthorised use of protected emblems or names (up to RM20,000 fine, three years' prison, or both). Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 — Criminalises transmission of offensive or false content intended to annoy, abuse, or harass (fines and potential imprisonment). This is not an isolated case. In April this year, a local Chinese-language newspaper apologised after publishing a front-page image of the Jalur Gemilang without its crescent moon, a key symbol of Malaysia's Islamic heritage. The error appeared in its April 15 edition covering the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping in Malaysia. The artwork depicted a symbolic boat carrying the Malaysian and Chinese flags to mark bilateral ties. More Like This
Daily Express
6 hours ago
- Daily Express
May 13 reference sparks heated exchange in Dewan Rakyat
Published on: Monday, August 04, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025 By: Elill Easwaran, FMT Text Size: Rayer (right) asked for a ruling from the deputy speaker after Awang (left) mentioned the May 13 racial riot. KUALA LUMPUR: A war of words broke out between a government backbencher and an opposition MP after the latter mentioned the May 13 racial riots while criticising the 13th Malaysia Plan on grounds that it lacked initiatives for the Bumiputera community. Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) questioned the government's emphasis on New Villages, when debating the 13MP, tabled last Thursday. He said while Perikatan Nasional had no issue with funds for New Villages, there was no specific development for the Bumiputera community. 'When we look back at the May 13 incident, one of the elements was economic pressure on the Bumiputeras. That's why the 1MP to 13MP exist, to balance income and the economy among the races. But the 13MP has nothing specific for the Bumiputera community. 'Is the government trying to bring back another May 13 incident?' This prompted RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) to cite Standing Order 36(9)(c), which prohibits statements that can provoke hostility or hurt the feelings of any race. 'Pendang is suggesting May 13 can happen again,' Rayer said, urging deputy speaker Alice Lau to make a ruling. Awang denied making any provocative statement, saying such accusations were slanderous. 'I didn't say what you claimed I did. That's why even DAP people don't accept you anymore – you lost the (party's) central executive committee election,' he said. Rayer replied: 'We accept your point about Chinese New Villages, but why repeat that May 13 can happen again?' Defending his comments, Awang said: 'I quoted the point made by the prime minister, that the socio-economic level of New Villages will be strengthened through a development master plan. So, is it racist to mention that? If I say 'Bumiputera', is it racist? If I say 'Chinese', is it racist?' Rayer continued to press for a ruling, but Lau said she 'will let the minister respond', likely alluding to the economy minister. She said Rayer could submit a motion to the Speaker for further action. - FMT * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
7 hours ago
- Daily Express
Government affirms trade unions as development partners
Published on: Monday, August 04, 2025 Published on: Mon, Aug 04, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim with the trade unions' representatives. - Pic by CMD The State Government recognises trade unions as strategic partners in shaping an inclusive and forward-looking development agenda, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Speaking at the state-level Trade Union Day at ITCC, Hajiji stressed the importance of unions in areas beyond wages, including policy-making, education, and technology adoption. He said the government remains committed to supporting the trade union movement and creating a fair, sustainable employment ecosystem that benefits all Sabahans. Hajiji described the assembly as a landmark event signalling a new chapter for structured and inclusive unionism under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development plan. He noted that Sabah recorded over 1.7 million in labour force last year, contributing to a GDP of RM84.3 billion through sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and services. There are currently 92 registered trade unions in the state with over 60,000 members across the government, private, and statutory sectors, he added. Hajiji urged union leaders to champion workers' welfare and to make Sabah's voice heard at the national Trade Union Assembly in Penang this September. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
