Misunderstood Flag on Malaysia’s Pangkor Island Fishing Boats Sparks Viral Debate

NOVEMBER 15, 2024 — A red flag with Malaysia’s national flag (Jalur Gemilang) in its canton, seen flying on fishing boats in Pangkor Island, has gone viral online, drawing debate and controversy, Guang Ming Daily reports.

Initially misinterpreted as a foreign flag, particularly associated with China, the flag turned out to be Malaysia’s civil ensign, a maritime flag legally used by civilian vessels.

The viral video, captioned “They are trying to put their flag everywhere,” garnered over 40,000 views and 2,500 comments, fueling speculation about Chinese influence in Malaysia. Some commenters called for police action, while others accused local authorities of replacing the Malaysian flag, suggesting the flag symbolized foreign ownership.

The misunderstanding surrounding the flag on Pangkor Island fishing boats comes on the heels of a heated incident last month involving the display of Chinese flags at a cultural festival in Malaysia. The event triggered widespread debate about the visibility of foreign influence in Malaysian public spaces, underscoring lingering sensitivities around the nation’s sovereignty and multicultural identity, according to the South China Morning Post.

In this case, members of DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) stepped forward to clarify the situation.

“This deliberate distortion of facts can easily mislead the public and damage Pangkor Island’s reputation,” said DAPSY. The group highlighted the broader implications of such misinformation on social harmony and livelihoods, particularly for fishing communities, and potential harm to Pangkor Island’ and its ‘s tourism-dependent community.

Image: Guang Ming Daily