A viral video has surfaced online showing a Malay netizen defending the elderly shop owner involved in the upside-down Jalur Gemilang incident.
The netizen pointed out that the man at the centre of the controversy had already apologised and even hung a larger Jalur Gemilang in front of his hardware store.
“Everyone makes mistakes in life”
The netizen noted that everyone makes mistakes in life, whether it’s wearing clothes inside out, putting on the wrong shoes, or even wearing a cap backwards, adding that even Akmal’s own team had once printed the wrong flag design.
Yes, the uncle was wrong, but accepting an apology is always more noble than endless punishment. “
He then criticised Akmal’s protest in Kepala Batas, warning that such actions could put ordinary Penangites at risk.
Racial harmony has always been maintained
He stressed that Penang is small and that racial harmony has always been carefully maintained, with communities coexisting peacefully without one group dominating another.
If provocation or fights happen, who will suffer? It’s us, the people of Penang. Akmal, will you care? After causing a mess, you and your team can just return to Melaka. But what about us?” he said.
The netizen further urged Akmal to stop “stirring the flames” both inside Parliament and on the streets, adding that if he truly loves Malaysia, he should let the matter cool down instead of escalating it.
Before ending the 1-minute-33-second clip, he posed a sobering question: “Where is Malaysia really heading?”
Netizens’ comments
The video has since gained widespread praise from netizens, who applauded him for defending forgiveness and standing up against unnecessary political theatrics.
‘We people of Penang live in peace. Don’t let outsiders come and cause unnecessary trouble.‘
‘That was the best comment, brother. A thousand salutes from us!’
‘Harmony needs to be maintained… not stirred up with anger.‘
“Unity and harmony to be prioritised,” Said Anwar.
Speaking at the opening of the National Public Service Congress on Friday (Aug 15), Prime Minister Anwar also cited the Jalur Gemilang controversy and the tragic death of a student in Sabah as issues that must be handled with fairness and truth.
Anwar said certain quarters have used these topics as political fodder, taking advantage of them to stir sentiments.
He urged Malaysians to reject such tactics and to prioritise unity and harmony over opportunistic narratives.
Watch the full video here:
@bang_kebun Stop provokasi, semua buat silap #akmalsaleh #jalurgemilang ♬ original sound – bang_kebun
