Port dickson: The Ministry of Education (MOE) will take firm action once it receives the full investigation report on the incident where the Jalur Gemilang flag was flown upside down at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Chung Hua in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, on Friday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Minister of Education, Fadhlina Sidek, emphasized that the incident was a serious issue, as all parties had been repeatedly reminded of the importance and sensitivity of the national flag. She stated, "We are currently awaiting the result of the full investigation. I want to stress that once we receive the complete report, we will take stern action. The MOE has repeatedly reminded everyone about the sensitivity, responsibility, and commitment involved in displaying the Jalur Gemilang. Incidents like this should not have happened."

Fadhlina made these remarks while speaking to reporters after presenting the Early Schooling Aid (BAP) to Form Six Semester One students for the 2025 session in Kelantan at the Educational Technology Resource Sector in Pengkalan Chepa. She added, "I would like to stress that we are taking a very strict stance on any offence involving the improper display of the Jalur Gemilang because we do not want the spirit of the National Day celebration to be marred by such incidents."

SJKC Chung Hua in Port Dickson issued a public apology over the upside-down display of the Jalur Gemilang at its premises last Friday. The school board, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), and the school administration, in a joint statement, expressed regret over the incident, describing it as an unintentional mistake. The statement clarified that the incident occurred on August 1 when a school worker mistakenly installed one of the flags upside down.

Furthermore, commenting on the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir, Fadhlina stressed that the MOE was committed to ensuring a thorough and transparent investigation process to serve justice for all parties involved. She assured that the investigation into this case would be carried out without delay from the MOE, stating, "This case is our priority. I wish to stress once again that no one will be shielded. We will take all necessary actions, based entirely on the results of the investigation."

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also emphasized the need for a thorough and transparent investigation into Zara Qairina's death. He mentioned having discussions with Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to ensure a swift investigation. Zara Qairina, aged 13, was believed to have fallen from the third floor and was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory in Papar, Sabah, at 4 am on July 16. She was pronounced dead at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital on July 17, and the incident quickly went viral, sparking widespread public reaction on social media.