Cops to call in company behind 'five-pointed star' flag

Police have identified the local company found to be responsible for displaying a wrong Malaysian flag during the opening ceremony of a basketball match on Sunday night.

Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Huzir Mohamed today said the police will be calling in the contractor hired by the Malaysian Basketball Association (Maba) to record their statement.

"We will be calling them in soon... We want to ask them how this thing can be displayed in such a manner," Huzir said during a press conference at Bukit Aman.

The flag, with a five-pointed star and 11 red and white stripes, was shown on the stadium TV screen as the national anthem was played together with the Westport Malaysia logo during the opening ceremony of the 28th MABA Milo Lum Mun Chak Cup (2019).

The Jalur Gemilang has a 14-pointed star and 14 red and white stripes that represent the nation's 13 states and the Federal Territories.

Huzir said nine police reports have been lodged over the incident which is being investigated under Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for sharing of offensive and menacing content.

Aside from the local company, Huzir said police have also identified a Facebook account owner found to have uploaded a photo of the five-pointed star.

So far, police have recorded statements from four parties including Maba president Luo Choon Hann.

"We are confident that we can complete the investigations soon and refer the case to the Attorney-General's Chambers," he said, adding that investigations would also extend to reports of other similar flag images on display.

Maba yesterday said they have terminated the services of the contractor and apologised for what they described to be a mistake.

The incident had sparked an outcry and prompted calls for stern actions to be taken, including from Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and his deputy Steven Sim. - Mkini