Press Statement
No need for Akmal Saleh to bully store-owner in Penang over flag issue, come & have a rational debate with us instead
10 August 2025
We refer to the statement issued by UMNO Youth Chief Akmal Saleh who has announced that he and “his friends” will go to a store in Kepala Batas, Penang tomorrow to “teach” the owner of the store how to properly put up a Jalur Gemilang.
This is nothing short of bullying, vigilantism and a public call for mob action. It is unacceptable, dangerous and racially divisive.
It is shocking to all right-thinking Malaysians that an elected assemblymen and a member of the Madani government is allowed to rile up the public and muster a mob to intimidate and harass an ordinary member of the public on the absurd excuse that he wants to “educate” him. Where is the voice of the Madani leaders in this? Do they think this is acceptable conduct?
Akmal is manufacturing outrage and making a mountain out of a molehill for political gain. The owner of the store has given a credible explanation and has even apologised for the mistake, but Akmal deliberately ignores this.
As a high-ranking member within UMNO, a political party within the Madani government, the statements made by Akmal on this issue should be viewed as serious threats to peace and tranquillity of the nation. A mainstream politician calling for a mob to carry out acts of vigilantism is a ticking time bomb. It should not be allowed to happen.
What Akmal and “his friends” are planning also amount to several criminal offences under the Penal Code including criminal intimidation (Section 503), intentional insult (Section 504) and making statements conducive to public mischief (Section 505) and criminal trespass. He had better re-consider his outrageous plan.
The government must step in and take action. They cannot keep silent. The Madani government, having called for racial unity throughout its tenure, cannot allow one of its own leaders to continue to create racial tension amongst Malaysian society.
If Akmal and his cohorts are unsatisfied, I call them to meet with me instead and debate the flag issue instead of harassing, insulting and intimidating ordinary Malaysians. Leave the poor store-owner alone. We are prepared to educate them on why they are utterly wrong on this, and what national unity and patriotism really means.
Issued by,
Zaid Malek
Director
Lawyers For Liberty