Cops on the hunt for 'new flag' advocates

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 headquartersFacebook 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.

An offence under this law carries a maximum jail term of three years, a maximum fine of RM5,000 or both.

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.

The police this act was being investigated under Section 290 of the Penal Code for committing a public nuisance and Section 504 of the same law for causing an intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

Eyewitnesses urged to act

They have urged eyewitnesses to contact the Bukit Aman media centre if they have information to provide.

Yesterday, pro-Umno bloggers lambasted Janji Demokrasi participants over a photograph of several youths bearing flags that resemble the Indonesia and Singapore national flags.

The bloggers and Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysiahave blamed the act on theJanji Demokrasi organisers and accused its perpetrators of wanting to change the national flag.

Blogger Serigala Selatan has since emerged to claim responsibility for bringing two flags dubbed the Sang Saka Malaya, to the Merdeka eve celebrations.

According to the blogger,Sang Saka Malaya was a flag designed by Malay leftist groups prior to Independence in 1957. 

He claimed that he had no intention of replacing the current Malaysian flag - the Jalur Gemilang - and merely wanted to remind the public of the contribution of other historical figures towards Independence.

Mooning incident

Meanwhile, another controversy has also erupted over the antics of a youth who was photographed mooning pictures of Najib and Rosmah.

This act is being investigated by the police under Section 509 of the Penal Code for a word or gesture intended to insult the modesty of the person.

Upon conviction, an offender can be jailed for up to five years, fined or both.

Gabungan Janji, who organised their Janji Demokrasi rally at the same event, has disclaimed responsibility for the incident.

Working committee member Maria Chin Abdullah stressed that her organisation disapproves of the act.

On the night of August 30, an estimated 10,000 Janji Demokrasi participants defied a police ban on their rally and showed up at the Dataran celebrations to remind the people of Bersih’s electoral reform demands. 

Their numbers swamped the regular Merdeka revellers, who were estimated at around 5,000.