Terengganu Umno Youth apologises for incorrect ‘Jalur Gemilang’ in Facebook post, says designer influenced by inverted flag controversy

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — Terengganu Umno Youth chief Tengku Haphiz Tengku Putera has apologised after a Facebook post by the wing featured a Jalur Gemilang with the wrong number of stripes.

In a Facebook video last night, Tengku Haphiz explained that the error was made by a freelance designer who had been influenced by recent incidents involving the national flag.

“For your information, the designer who produced this poster was affected by the recent inverted Jalur Gemilang issue, and his own oversight was unintentional,” he said.

He stressed that he would not defend the designer and would leave the matter to the authorities to investigate.

“I want to reiterate that we will not compromise on this issue. I take full responsibility as Terengganu Umno Youth chief and offer my sincere apology,” he said.

The post, part of a campaign seeking justice for 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir, sparked criticism after it featured the incorrect flag design. It has since been removed and replaced with a corrected version.

Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh responded by saying there was no double standard in addressing the matter.

“Just as we pushed for an investigation and strict punishment for the man who flew the flag upside-down, we are also asking for the same action against the person responsible for creating this poster,” he said.

This comes in the wake of a recent controversy involving a 59-year-old hardware shop owner in Kepala Batas, Penang, who faced public backlash after a video showed the Jalur Gemilang hanging upside-down outside his shop.

Dr Akmal initially threatened to hold a “class” to teach the shopkeeper how to display the flag correctly if no legal action was taken. However, he later cancelled the plan after DAP offered to sponsor and install a giant Jalur Gemilang at the shop, although he still intended to visit to ensure it was displayed properly.