{
  "id": 3933628,
  "title": "Staff member has resigned over flag gaffe, says MCA",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/staff-member-has-resigned-over-flag-gaffe-says-mca",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T09:21:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/28/staff-member-has-resigned-over-flag-gaffe-says-mca"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Perak MCA has announced that a staff member has resigned following an error in installing the national and state flags at the party's headquarters in Ipoh. The incident, which involved an elderly employee, has been swiftly rectified with the flags being taken down and correctly reinstalled. Dr Mah Hang Soon, the Perak MCA deputy president, expressed deep regret on behalf of the party and sought forgiveness from the sultan of Perak and all Malaysians. Perak MCA has taken full responsibility for the incident, which occurred during National Day preparations, and is cooperating fully with the Ipoh police investigation. The party is also reviewing its procedures for flag installation and display. Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has called for stricter legal action and heavier penalties, stating that even someone not of sound mind would know how to install a flag properly.",
  "summary": "Perak MCA apologises after an employee incorrectly installed the Jalur Gemilang and Perak state flag at its headquarters in Ipoh.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Perak MCA takes responsibility, staff member resigns over flag error",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/perak-mca-takes-responsibility-staff-member-resigns-over-flag-error",
        "published": "2026-08-28T08:38:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Staff member has resigned over flag gaffe, says MCA",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/staff-member-has-resigned-over-flag-gaffe-says-mca-3938247",
        "published": "2026-08-28T09:21:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malaysiakini",
        "title": "SNAPSHOT | Elderly staff quits over inverted flag gaffe; 'blue' Sg Perak water safe for general use - activist",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/snapshot-elderly-staff-quits-over-inverted-flag-gaffe-blue-sg-perak",
        "published": "2026-08-28T10:08:32.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}