Penang Hardware Store Owner Waves Upside-Down Jalur Gemilang, Claims He Didn't Notice

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A hardware shop owner in Penang recently came under fire after a video of him waving an upside-down Jalur Gemilang circulated online, sparking widespread outrage among Malaysians.

In an official statement from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Assistant Commissioner Anuar Bin Abd Rahman, Chief of Police for the Seberang Perai Utara District, said the police received a report about the incident on Saturday (August 9) at around 12:30 pm. The shop is believed to be located in the Kepala Batas area.

Anuar stated that the case is still in the early stages of investigation, and statements have been recorded from both the complainant and the hardware shop owner.

In a video, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican, former Minister of Youth and Sports, is seen confronting the shop owner before escorting him to the police station. After giving his statement to the police, the shop owner also addressed the media outside the station.

Pang Chin Tian, 59, explained that during the incident, he was measuring the metal pole used to hoist the Malaysian flag. He claimed that the flag was hoisted by one of his employees and that he did not notice its position. He also said he had asked an employee to take photos of the pole to estimate its size.

Chin Tian, who has operated his hardware store in Taman Bertam Pertama, Penang, for the past 10 years, apologised to all Malaysians for the mistake and said he is willing to cooperate fully with the police, as reported by Sinar Harian.

PDRM is currently investigating the matter under Section 5 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1950.

Also read: “Congratulations!” – Politician Praises Malaysian Tamil Schools for Zero Jalur Gemilang Blunders