Malaysian arrested for allegedly making a joke about the Indonesian flag

A Malaysian may face five years of jail for allegedly making a joke about the Indonesian flag.

Jakarta Post reported that Broderik Chin made the ‘joke’ after his employee had failed to find a flag to be hoisted for the Independence Day commemoration.

He was allegedly to have said that the flag could be replaced with the red underwear he was wearing.

Chin was reported to have committed the offence on August 16, one day before the country's Independence Day.

Chin is believed to be the general manager of palm oil company PT Kreasi Jaya, which is a subsidiary of Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLK).

Indonesian Police Senior Commissioner Agus Rianto said there is a possibility Chin was joking or he was angry with his employee.

His action has triggered a furor among the locals of Dumai, where they had staged a rally outside the factory on the following day.

Chin, however has since apologized for his action.

Following the protest, the Dumai police then arrested Chin on August 21.

Agus said Chin will be charged charged under Article 66 of the 2009 law on the national flag, language, symbols and anthem.

Jakarta Post also reported that Chin could face a prison sentence of up to five years or a fine of Rp 500 million (RM 150,762).