LED Rocket Display With China Flags Sparks Controversy, Ends Bukit Gambir Lights Festival
Source: The Rakyat Post
A recent LED rocket display adorned with China’s flags has ignited controversy at the Bukit Gambir Lights Festival in Johor, leading to a police report being lodged by Umno Ledang’s Youth Wing division. The image of the LED rocket, which went viral online, has drawn criticism for allegedly being insensitive and provoking tensions in the multi-ethnic community in the region.
The outrage prompted the Umno Ledang Youth Wing to file a police report on Wednesday, with the Tangkak district police chief, Superintendent Roslan Mohd Talib, confirming the receipt of the complaint. The case will be investigated under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for making statements that could cause fear or alarm to the public and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities.
The controversial display was part of the Bukit Gambir LED Lights Festival, which was scheduled to run from 23 December 2024 to 12 January 2025 at the Bukit Gambir multipurpose hall. However, following the uproar, the festival was abruptly halted on 26 December 2024 after the Tangkak District Council (MDT) issued a notice demanding its cessation.Gambir state assemblyman Sahrihan Jani expressed gratitude to Umno Ledang Youth for highlighting the issue, stating that it could have potentially led to unrest within the community. He stressed the need for proactive measures, including the revocation of permits and cancellation of events, if organisers failed to adhere to guidelines. While the event organisers issued an apology, Sahrihan pointed out that it could not undo the damage caused and called for more sensitivity to local culture to avoid provocations that could threaten public unity and national security.
