Upside-down party flags appear in Kedah, purportedly to protest new chief minister
KUALA LUMPUR — Barisan Nasional (BN) flags were hung upside down in Kedah in protest against the appointment of Mr Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah as chief minister.
KUALA LUMPUR — Barisan Nasional (BN) flags were hung upside down in Kedah in protest against the appointment of Mr Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah as chief minister.
Sinar Harian today (Feb 10) reported that the flags were seen along roads in several areas, with pictures being spread across social media.
Hanging flags in reverse is considered a signal of distress rather than desecration.
Kedah UMNO information chief Mohd Rawi Abdul Hamid confirmed the existence of the flags and said they are currently investigating the matter.
“I believe is act of protest in certain areas, but there has been no confirmation yet from the UMNO division involved.
“We do not want to take a drastic action yet but we have asked the UMNO division to furnish us with necessary information in order for us to take action,” he was quoted as saying.
Mr Mohd Rawi also did not rule out the possibility that the upside-down flags were hoisted to “sabotage” the Kedah UMNO.
Among the reported sightings of the upside down BN flags include areas such as Jerlun, Jerai, Kubang Pasu and Bandar Baharu.
Mr Mukhriz is the MP for Jerlun while his father, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, had been the MP for Kubang Pasu up until Election 2004.
Kubang Pasu District Council (MDKP) also confirmed to the newspaper that there have been sightings of upside down flags in the area.
“We have received several complaints on the incident where party flags are being hung upside down in several locations in Jerlun. Among the identified locations is Padang Perahu,” MDKP communications officer Zainal Abidin was quoted as saying.
He added that the municipal has received orders to take down the flags immediately on the day of the discovery.
Mr Mukhriz resigned as the chief minister of Kedah last week, two weeks after Ahmad Bashah led a delegation of UMNO leaders to express their loss of confidence in the former’s leadership.
Mr Ahmad Bashah was subsequently appointed as the new Kedah chief minister. MALAY MAIL ONLINE