A group of Malaysians believed to be from Sabah and Sarawak who displayed the Jalur Gemilang upside down in Australia risks damaging the reputation of Malaysians studying and working there, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Mustapha Sakmud.

Referring to the group calling itself Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia (SSKM) Australia, Mustapha said the act disrespected the national symbol and did not reflect the courteous and cultured nature of Sabahans and Sarawakians.

“The Madani government guarantees freedom of speech. However, freedom does not mean one is free from the implications of their actions,” he said in a statement quoted by Berita Harian today.

Mustapha was commenting on the group’s upside-down display of the Jalur Gemilang during a demonstration in conjunction with United Nations Day outside Victoria Parliament House in Melbourne yesterday.