KUALA LUMPUR: DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke has instructed the party’s Youth wing to file police reports across the country against Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh over a protest he led outside a shop in Kepala Batas yesterday.
In a statement, Loke described the march as “bullying and intimidation” of the shop owner, who was criticised in a viral video for displaying the national flag incorrectly.
He said Akmal’s actions ignored explicit warnings from both the Inspector-General of Police and the Penang police chief against holding public assemblies.
“By disregarding police instructions, Akmal has challenged the rule of law, disrupted public order, and caused unease among nearby traders—some of whom were forced to close early. Such behaviour crosses legal boundaries and undermines the norms of Malaysia’s multi-ethnic society. Appropriate penalties must be imposed for such extreme conduct,” he said.
Loke confirmed that DAP Youth would file reports under multiple Penal Code provisions, including Section 503 (criminal intimidation), Section 504 (intentional insult to provoke a breach of peace), and Section 505 (statements likely to cause public mischief).
Additional reports will be lodged under two recently introduced anti-bullying provisions—Section 507B (causing harassment, distress, fear, or anxiety) and Section 507C (uttering words likely to cause such feelings).
While stressing that the Jalur Gemilang must always be displayed properly and respectfully, Loke maintained that intimidation and tension were not the right way to address the matter.
Yesterday, Akmal led more than 300 supporters from Umno, Bersatu, and Pas in a 1.4 km march protesting against a hardware store that had flown the Jalur Gemilang upside down.
