Bersatu Youth chief Hilman Idham said the wing would stand with any party in defence of Malaysia’s sovereignty and dignity.

“The youth must lead the charge for unity – the Jalur Gemilang is our shared pride.

“In the spirit of solidarity that transcends party politics, Bersatu Youth will join forces with Umno Youth in Kepala Batas, Penang, on Aug 14,” he said in a statement.

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh yesterday called off a planned “class” for the Penang shop owner accused of hoisting the Jalur Gemilang upside down, but said he would turn up on Thursday to see if DAP hangs its promised flag “correctly”.

Akmal previously threatened to protest at the shop if the owner was not charged by Thursday, saying he would personally “teach this ‘Ah Pek’ (uncle) how to put up a flag properly”.

Civil society group Projek Sama subsequently urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to intervene and rein Akmal in, to stop the Umno Youth chief’s “witch-hunt”, especially if the shop owner was not charged over the issue.

DAP later said that it would sponsor a giant Jalur Gemilang for the shop and deploy Penang DAP members to distribute 831 Jalur Gemilang flags, should anyone try to stir up trouble.

DAP was responding to certain quarters who had threatened to stage a protest at the shop if charges were not filed against the shop owner.

Meanwhile Terengganu Umno Youth apologised for an error in a graphic of the Jalur Gemilang posted on the wing’s social media, saying it was an unintentional mistake by the graphic designer.

Akmal confirmed the mistake and urged the police to act, even though the person involved was from his own party.