Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng accused police of applying double standards in handling cases involving incorrect display of the Jalur Gemilang flag, pointing out harsher treatment toward ordinary citizens compared to political parties and government agencies [1, 2, 3].

Lim’s remarks came after two members of the public in Kulai were detained, remanded for four days, and subjected to urine tests over an incorrect display of the Jalur Gemilang [1, 2, 3]. He contrasted this with a recent Perak MCA case where staff responsible for displaying the Jalur Gemilang and Perak state flag upside down were only summoned for statement recording, with no detention involved; one staff member resigned following the incident [1, 2, 3].

He also highlighted the Kuala Terengganu City Council’s incorrect display of the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent and star, which police classified as a "technical error" and accepted without arrests [1, 2, 3].

Lim asked, "The mistakes were almost identical, yet the police response was vastly different. Does police action depend on who is involved?" [2] He added, "If a mistake involving the display of the Jalur Gemilang was genuinely unintentional, immediately corrected and followed by an apology, no one should be arrested" [3]. He condemned what he called favoritism: "The police cannot act harshly against ordinary people while going easy on ‘VIPs’ and government agencies. That is not justice. That is favouritism" [2].

Lim demanded the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail explain the double standard immediately. "If he fails to provide a reasonable answer or continues to remain silent, as in the Kulai case, he must resign or be dismissed immediately," he said [3].

On August 28, Perak MCA publicly apologised and took full responsibility for the upside-down flag display at its state headquarters. Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said the mistake was unintentional and corrected promptly. "We apologise to the Sultan of Perak and all Malaysians," he said [1, 2, 3].

The staff member involved in the Perak MCA case resigned following the apology [1, 2, 3].