Police call up Sarawak Chinese activist members for not standing for national anthem

Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) official spokesman Shaow Tung Leong 

(The Star) – Police have called up seven members of the Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) activist group who did not stand up for the national anthem, as seen in a video clip which has gone viral on social media.

State deputy commissioner of police DCP Datuk Dev Kumar said a police report on the incident was lodged on Monday (Sept 30).

“Based on the report, we have commenced investigations under Section 8(3) of the National Anthem Act 1968,” he said.

Under Section 8, anyone who knowingly shows disrespect to the national anthem in a public place can be fined up to RM100 or jailed not more than one month.

S4S spokesman Shaow Tung Leong, who was among those called up by police over the incident, said their action was a “silent protest” against the Federal Government’s “unfair” treatment of Sarawak.

“We did not stand up because we feel disappointed and angry at the Federal Government.

“(Prime Minister) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government cannot give back the 20% oil royalty to Sarawak,” he told reporters after having his statement recorded at the Kuching police district headquarters’ one-stop centre at Jalan Simpang Tiga here on Monday afternoon.

Leong, who uploaded the video clip on Facebook on Sept 28, also claimed that the Federal Government had taken nearly RM600 billion in oil revenue from Sarawak in the last 56 years.

“We feel disappointed that our oil royalty is being taken, so when Negaraku was played, we did not want to stand up. But we don’t want to be like Hong Kong where they go and fight. We are peaceful and we choose to protest silently,” he said.