Acting Penang police chief Alwi Zainal Abidin said the investigation paper will be referred to the deputy public prosecutor’s office tomorrow for further action.

In a statement, Alwi said the arrest was carried out in Kepala Batas.

He said 16 reports had been received nationwide over the incident, including 12 from within Penang.

Yesterday, Seberang Perai Utara police launched an investigation into the incident.

District police chief Anuar Abd Rahman said the authorities were investigating the incident for improper use of emblems and names, insulting behaviour and improper use of network facilities.

Statements from the complainant as well as the suspect involved in the incident were also recorded.

A video, uploaded at about 12.30pm, showed a man hoisting the flag while another recorded it.

Malaysiakini reported that the hardware shop owner said he was measuring the length of an iron pole while hanging the flag and did not notice that it was upside down.

The owner said he rectified the mistake immediately after realising it.

He apologised for the blunder and lodged a report at the Kepala Batas police station to provide an explanation.

It was the sixth flag-related incident since January and the second case of improper handling of flags this month.