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Malaysiakini

Right-wing NGOs burn ‘Sang Saka Malaya’ flag

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Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 ― Police have detained the two youths who courted controversy during Merdeka Day eve when they raised the Sang Saka Malaya flag, the pre-independence nationalist banner that served as the model for the flags of Umno, Indonesia and Singapore.

Kuala Lumpur CID deputy chief Aziz Zakaria said in a statement here that the duo were arrested at the Dang Wangi police station here at 2.35pm today.

They are being investigated under Section 9(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, a British-enacted law that the Najib administration recently said it will soon repeal.

On Monday, one of the youths had owned up to waving the Sang Saka Malaya instead of the Jalur Gemilang during the 55th National Day countdown, but defended the act as an attempt to educate the public about the country’s history and not a bid to replace the national flag.

An unidentified person, known only by his online pseudonym Singa Selatan, had blogged about the incident in two entries over the weekend after his act provoked a firestorm that has turned political with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his Cabinet accusing the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) opposition bloc of being behind the plot and suggesting a bid to turn Malaysia into a republic.
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Cops arrest duo for flying pre-Merdeka flag

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Malaysiakini

Police detain Sang Saka Malaya flag duo

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Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 6 — The national flag can be changed if the government of the day wills it, Malaysian Historical Society (MHS) executive chairman Tan Sri Omar Hashim said today.

“New governments always change their flags, as we have seen in Libya and Iraq. So basically if there is a change in government, they can do so,” Omar said.

He added, however, that while the current Malaysian flag remained the chosen symbol of the government, it should be respected and be the only flag flown during National Day celebrations.

The chairman was responding to reporters asking him of the recent re-emergence of the controversial red and white ‘Sang Saka Malaya’ flag during the Merdeka eve celebration at Merdeka Square.

The event was hosted by a coalition of non-government organisations called Gabungan Janji, headed by national literary laureate A Samad Said.

“The red and white flag, the Sang Saka, is the flag representing Malay kingdoms. We saw this in the 13th and 14th century.

“That is a historical fact,” Omar said today.

New government can choose new flag, says historical society

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Sundaily

Police release photos of those involved in brandishing flags

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 3, 2012): Police today released photographs of 11 people being sought over incidents at Dataran Merdeka on the eve of National Day, including one where flags were brought allegedly to replace the Jalur Gemilang.

Kuala Lumpur CID chief Datuk SAC II Ku Chin Wah said those identified by police will be called up to have their statements recorded.

The photos were released as those involved had not responded to a call by police to assist in their investigations.

Police release photos of those involved in brandishing flags

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Malaysiakini

PKR Youth has distanced itself from one of its officers who designed the Sang Saka Malaya, a flag which has drawn brickbats from the authorities and Umno-linked media organisations.

PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin said the Sang Saka Malaya, designed by his deputy information chief Najwan Halimi, was merely a fictional creation.

“I believe his creation was just his personal opinion and manifestation as a youth who is looking at matters from a historical perspective.

“I believe the red and white motif was basis of his creation. But Utusan Malaysia is trying to link it to PKR Youth,” he said when contacted.

He stressed that the flag was designed in 2007, even before Najwan (left) became an office bearer in PKR Youth.

“He may not be our deputy information chief, but what he did in 2007 should not be a problem and should not be linked to us,” he told a press conference today.

PKR Youth distances itself from ‘new’ flag designer

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Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 ― The police are investigating an alleged proposal to replace the Jalur Gemilang national flag under the Sedition Act, a Bukit Aman official said today ― despite Putrajaya’s decision to repeal the controversial law that has been widely panned as a tool to curb political dissent.

Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin said the police were also using the same law to investigate individuals who had stepped on pictures of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, during a street rally last Thursday to celebrate the country’s 55th National Day at Dataran Merdeka ― the same venue that saw a violent clash between electoral reform demonstrators and the authorities just four months earlier on April 28.

“What was the purpose (in flying that flag)… we cannot tell what we are going to do; we have a strategy that is based on the rules and scope of the PDRM,” the director of Bukit Aman’s criminal investigations department (CID) said, referring to the initials of the Royal Malaysia Police in Malay.

“It is up to us to determine to what extent it is seditious,” he told The Malaysian Insider when contacted.

Despite planned repeal, cops invoke sedition law in alternative flag probe

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Malaysiakini

Permatang Pauh MP and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim today defended the youths who held up the Sang Saka Malaya flag during the Merdeka eve celebrations.

Anwar said there was nothing wrong with them flying the flag as it was the proposed flag when the people were seeking Malaya’s independence.

“This episode is there in the country’s history, and this was the flag used. I do not think the youth had intended to change the national flag Jalur Gemilang but it was merely to highlight that point in the country’s history,” he said.

Anwar used the PAS party flag as an example, saying that in the past, the Islamist party flag had the crescent moon and the star.

However, following objections then to its similarity to the national flag, PAS changed it to the full moon.

“I do not think it would be an offence for PAS to put up the old flag as that was one point in the country and party’s history,” he said.

“Even Umno’s flag is called Sang Saka Bangsa,” he remarked.

Anwar defends Sang Saka Malaya flag-flying duo

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However, in a separate entry posted two days ago, the blogger said he was stunned to see copies of a pamphlet calling for the Jalur Gemilang to be replaced with the Sang Saka Malaya and denied responsibility for its distribution.

“We have no intention to urge the government to replace the Jalur Gemilang with the Sang Saka Malaya. 

“But we intend to change the government to a government that is more transparent,” the blogger wrote.

Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 3 — One person has owned up to waving the Sang Saka Malaya flag instead of the Jalur Gemilang during the 55th National Day countdown here last week but defended the act as an attempt to educate the public about the country’s history and not a bid to replace the national flag.

An unidentified person, known only by his online handle Singa Selatan, had blogged about the incident in two entries over the weekend after his act provoked a firestorm that has turned political with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his Cabinet accusing the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) opposition bloc of being behind the plot and suggesting a bid to turn Malaysia into a republic.

“Saya dan saudara Zairi shafai adalah individu yang bertanggungjawab membuat dan mengibarkan bendera Sang Saka Malaya dimalam sambutan kemerdekaan di Dataran Merdeka. (I and Zairi Shafai are the individuals responsible for making and flying the Sang Saka Malaya flag during the Independence celebration in Dataran Merdeka),” the blogger wrote in an entry posted last Friday.

“We do not represent any political party, be it from the government or the opposition, we represent the youth who wish to project truth and history that has attempted to be drowned out by the responsible parties, and clearly have no motive to change the Jalur Gemilang to Sang Saka Malaya, because Sang Saka Malaya has been turned into the Jalur Gemilang today,” he added in his Bahasa Malaysia entry.

The blogger said his posting was not an attempt to seek publicity for himself or his friends but to shed light over the controversy and their reasons for displaying the “panji keramat” (sacred pennant).

Blogger owns up to Jalur Gemilang alternative, says aim to educate

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Malaysiakini

Two youths who have generated a storm after being accused of wanting to replace the national flag have come out to deny the allegation.

The accusation emerged after the duo was spotted bearing the Sang Saka Malaya at the Janji Demokrasi rally.

The flag resembles that of Indonesia but retains the Malaysian yellow crescent and star.

In a blog posting yesterday, blogger Serigala Selatan claimed responsibility for the flag.

“Zairi Shafai and I were the individuals responsible for flying the Sang Saka Malaya during the night of the Merdeka celebrations at Dataran Merdeka.

“Our motive was far from wanting to replace the Jalur Gemilang (national flag) to the Sang Saka Malaya as it is the Sang Saka Malaya that was changed to the Jalur Gemilang,” he said.

The blogger who identified himself as an undergraduate said they had only wanted to fly the flag “alongside Jalur Gemilang” in honour of the Malay leftist struggle for independence which had been erased from official history.

“Sang Saka Malaya is the symbol of their struggle in demanding independence for Malaya. The standard was also proudly flown at Gunung Semanggol, Perak when it was the fortress of Hizbul Muslimin under the leadership of Abu Bakar Baqir on March 17, 1948.

“Therefore, I and Zairi felt that other than the Jalur Gemilang, this flag deserves to be flown on Merdeka night. The Sang Saka Malaya is filled with their bitter struggles,” he said.
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Flag duo denies wanting to change Jalur Gemilang

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Malaysiakini

The police are on the hunt for individuals accused of seeking to change of Malaysia’s national flag during the Merdeka eve celebrations at Dataran Merdeka.

“This violates the federal constitution and the democratic process,” read a statement on the national police headquarters Facebook page.

The police said this was being investigated under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act 1948 for doing, attempting, preparing or conspiring to do an act of seditious tendency.

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The police are also on the lookout for individuals who stepped on photographs of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor at the same event.

Cops on the hunt for ‘new flag’ advocates

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Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders denied today claims they had mounted a campaign to replace the national flag with an alternative design and denounced the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government for spinning “lies” against the federal opposition bloc in the run-up to national polls.

The DAP-PKR-PAS alliance has been put on the defensive following public uproar over an incident during the recent Independence Day countdown in Dataran Merdeka here last Thursday where individuals were spotted waving flags of indeterminate design other the Jalur Gemilang — which were then alleged to be an alternative national flag.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had yesterday linked the incident to the opposition bloc and accused them of masterminding a plan to change the national symbol, among other national institutions if they win power at the 13th general elections due soon.

“The change of the national flag (sic) is never a Pakatan Rakyat agenda and has never been discussed or raised in any Pakatan Rakyat meeting,” DAP Parliamentary Leader Lim Kit Siang told The Malaysian Insider when contacted.

The Ipoh-Timur MP slammed the PM and his Cabinet for making such unsubstantiated remarks, which he described as a “completely concocted” and “artificial issue”.
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Changing national flag not on Pakatan agenda, say leaders

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Malaysian Insider

2 SEPT — I refer to your news item headlined: “PKR rejects replacing the national flag” appearing on your news portal dated 01 September 2012.

As a Malaysian who regards patriotism as being non-negotiable, I took serious offense at the grossly inappropriate action by those who displayed the “alternative” flag during the rally on the eve of 31st August 2012!

In my mind, that was akin to an act of treachery!

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The national flag symbolises what our nation IS — it is inimical to our nation’s soul.

To casually come out and display what one prefers to be a “new” design of the flag to be, is, in my mind, similar to making a statement that one wishes to change nationality.

If that be so, then, please do — get out and live wherever one wishes to, but, never make a mockery of national institutions and symbols as long as one continues staying in this beloved nation of ours!

I beseech all political organisations to please learn to differentiate between matters politic and items patriotic! The former is open to debate and discourse, the later, NON-NEGOTIABLE!

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Marina Chin may disavow knowledge and try distance herself from this heinous act, but, I, as a politically-unaffiliated loyal Malaysian holds her accountable. When one claims to “lead”, one has to account for the negatives as well as the positives!

Finally, I say: CHARGE THOSE WHO DESECRATED OUR NATIONAL FLAG WITH THE ATROCIOUS ALTERNATIVE WITH TREASON, NOTHING LESS!

* Capt Abdul Aziz Abdullah reads The Malaysian Insider

Charge those who displayed the “alternate” flag with TREASON! — Abdul Aziz Abdullah

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THIS IS THE INCIDENT THAT HAS SINCE SPARKED A NEW CONTROVERSY BETWEEN PAKATAN RAKYAT AND BARISAN NASIONAL

NST

2 September 2012 | last updated at 12:23AM

‘New flag’ stunt raises ire

TREASONOUS ANTICS: Malaysians denounce Bersih supporters who want to replace Jalur Gemilang

KUALA LUMPUR:  MALAYSIANS from all walks of life have described the demands made by supporters of the Bersih movement for the Jalur Gemilang to be replaced with a different flag as “shameful” and “treasonous”.

They are also incensed over the actions of the same group, which insulted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak by stomping on his picture during the countdown to the Merdeka Day celebrations at Dataran Merdeka here on Thursday.

The supporters of Bersih, who claim to be championing for a better electoral system for the country, had displayed a flag they had created to replace the Jalur Gemilang and distributed flyers to the people to support their cause. Their actions can be seen in a video posted on YouTube.

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Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak today accused Pakatan Rakyat (PR) of attempting to replace the national flag and warned of many more undesirable changes, including to the royal institution, should the opposition bloc gain control of Putrajaya.

The prime minister was weighing in on the uproar over the appearance of several alternative flag designs sporting the familiar crescent moon and 14-pointed star during the countdown to the country’s 55th National Day at Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur last Thursday night.

“They want to change everything… they even want to change our flag.

“There are many things they want to do but cannot because control of Putrajaya is in our hands,” said Najib (picture), who heads the Barisan Nasional (BN) ruling coalition, alluding to his political foes.

However, PKR — one of the three parties that make up the PR pact — has denied having a hand behind any bid to replace the Jalur Gemilang, and denounced the attempt as an “irresponsible” act.

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Najib alleges Pakatan behind bid to replace national flag

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Malaysian Insider

PETALING JAYA, Sept 1 ― PKR today said it is strongly against replacing the national flag, the Jalur Gemilang, following the appearance of alternate flag designs during a rally on the eve of National Day.

On August 30, a group of individuals were spotted waving flags that bore similarities to the Singapore and Indonesian national flags during the “Janji Demokrasi” (Democracy’s promise) rally at Dataran Merdeka.

“I must stress that it is not something [should] be done by Malaysians,” said PKR deputy president Azmin Ali today.

He described the act as “impolite and irresponsible”, saying that PKR will not support such “rude” actions.

The federal lawmaker later said: “Of course, in such a big rally, there are individuals who will take advantage”.

“Whatever actions that try to give impressions that are not positive, we will certainly not give any encouragement, and strongly reject.”

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PKR rejects replacing national flag

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