KUALA LUMPUR — DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Shah Alam has accused Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh of applying double standards in his response to recent errors involving the Jalur Gemilang.
DAPSY Shah Alam chief Wesley Lau Wei Zhong said Akmal’s response to the latest incident was markedly different from his approach to similar controversies in the past.
“This is the same issue when it comes to the Jalur Gemilang. It is the same issue, but back then his tone was very fiery and provocative. Now, on the same issue, he has gone diplomatic,” he told Scoop.
Lau questioned why Akmal appeared to be taking a more measured approach when the latest incident involved parties within the government.
“So what has happened there? That is the question I am posing to him,” he said.
In a statement, DAPSY Shah Alam said Akmal had previously been quick to condemn those involved in Jalur Gemilang-related mistakes, including by staging protests, accusing them of disloyalty and calling for punishment.
However, it said his response to the latest incident was considerably more restrained, with Akmal calling for an investigation, calm and consideration of whether the error was accidental.
DAPSY described the contrasting responses as a “glaring double standard” and questioned whether respect for the national flag was being applied consistently.
It said the Jalur Gemilang should not be turned into a political tool, stressing that the national flag belongs to all Malaysians.
“Patriotism must never be weaponised,” the group said, adding that genuine mistakes should be addressed through education, maturity and constructive guidance rather than public hostility or fear.
DAPSY also called for equal treatment regardless of political affiliation, saying those who make honest mistakes should be given the same consideration whether they are political allies, opponents or ordinary members of the public.
“If Dr Akmal believes that honest blunders deserve empathy, calm investigations and patience, he must apply that exact standard across the board,” it said.
The group also called on Akmal to consider apologising to members of the public whom it claimed had previously been “harassed and vilified” over similar administrative errors.
It further criticised what it described as “performative politics” and “manufactured outrage”, saying the public was tired of national symbols being used to divide society.
DAPSY urged youth leaders to reject selective outrage and instead promote a more mature approach to national issues based on fairness, consistency and genuine respect for the Jalur Gemilang.
Lau clarified that the statement was issued by DAPSY and did not represent the wider DAP, adding that his comments were made in his capacity as the division’s youth chief.
Earlier, Akmal urged Perikatan Nasional chairman and Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar to instruct the Kuala Terengganu City Council to verify whether the missing crescent and star on the Jalur Gemilang were due to an unintentional mistake.
The issue surfaced after a video showing the flag at Dataran Batu Buruk went viral, with Samsuri describing the incident as an accident.
Kuala Terengganu mayor Lizan Che Mat later said the crescent and star had been stitched onto the flag but came loose due to strong coastal winds.
The flag has since been replaced. — August 12, 2026