Any move to gather in Penang over flag issue risks confrontation, warns Dr Wee

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP’s plan to mobilise its members in Penang to “defend” a business premises involved in the recent upside-down flag controversy risks sparking a direct confrontation, warns MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic).

He said the move, announced by DAP, could draw large numbers of politically charged individuals to a location already under intense public scrutiny, raising the likelihood of clashes, particularly if those with opposing views also gather there.

“While the stated intention may be to show solidarity, the reality is that such action will drastically increase the risk of direct confrontation,” Dr Wee said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (Aug 12).

Earlier, DAP announced it would sponsor a large Jalur Gemilang flag to be installed at a shop in Kepala Batas, which had become the centre of controversy after the national flag was displayed upside-down there.

Dr Wee said public order must be prioritised over political posturing.

“Let us be clear, this is a far greater threat to public order than any statement made online. Once tempers flare on the ground, even a minor spark can escalate into something none of us wants to see. The role of the authorities is not to wait for the clash and then respond; it is to prevent it from happening at all,” he said.

He urged the police to act firmly to ensure Umno Youth Chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh does not proceed with his planned visit to Penang “under the current tense atmosphere”.

“The correct approach would be for DAP’s 40 Members of Parliament in government to pressure the Home Minister to ensure the police prevent this planned physical confrontation from taking place.

“Since DAP has failed to do so, I have instructed MCA Youth to lodge a police report immediately, urging the authorities to intervene and issue the necessary warnings to Akmal to prevent his presence from escalating the situation — and for DAP to cease their on-the-ground posturing,” Dr Wee said.

He stressed that the safety of the people and public harmony must come before “political mileage or theatrics”.

“MCA will not stand by and watch as our streets are turned into potential battlegrounds. We call on all parties to exercise restraint, and on the police to act decisively now before we are forced to deal with the consequences later,” he added.