The Malaysian Insight

MALAYSIAN Basketball Association (Maba) president Lua Choon Hann has given his statement to the police today over the use of another flag instead of the Jalur Gemilang during a match last night.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Mazlan Lazim said Lua gave his statement at 8am and lodged a report on behalf of the association at 11am.

“He said the flag was not put up by Maba but by an information technology contractor engaged (to handle the live broadcast).

“We will investigate the motive behind this incident, if it is done on purpose. However, it must be noted that Maba has already apologised to the public.”

He said police will also question the contractor.

A flag with a five-pointed star, and 11 red and white stripes was displayed on a large screen at the basketball stadium in Jalan Hang Kebat last night, where the 28th Maba Milo Lum Mun Chak Cup was being held.

The Jalur Gemilang has a 14-pointed star, and 14 red and white stripes.

The flag was displayed during the singing of the national anthem, and a video of it has been widely shared on social media, earning Maba condemnation and racist remarks.

Maba in a statement apologised for the foul-up.

It said the team handling the live broadcast of the match had “accidentally” displayed the wrong flag on the stadium TV screen.

“We apologise for this mistake and we take full responsibility for our actions. Please forgive us, as we are always striving to grow and develop the sport of basketball in Malaysia.” – November 26, 2019.