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The Ministry of Home Affairs takes the error in the national flag illustration on the cover of Sin Chew Daily seriously and deeply regrets the incident.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs has launched an investigation into the matter under the 1963 Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act and the 1984 Printing Presses and Publications Act.”
The Ministry of Home Affairs today (16th) summoned Sin Chew Daily for an investigation and requested that Sin Chew Daily explain the cause.
The Ministry subsequently stated in a press release that the act of displaying the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent symbol (representing Islam as the federal religion) is a serious and inappropriate oversight.
“Besides reflecting unprofessionalism, it may also trigger disharmony in the nation's diverse society.”
The Jalur Gemilang symbolizes sovereignty, unity, and national identity and must be respected and upheld, according to the statement.
“Anyone not adhering to the official flag standards could be subject to legal penalties under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Misuse).”
The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that it will not compromise, and will strictly combat any party under the relevant laws for publishing any material, through negligence, that may threaten public safety and order.
The Ministry will consider taking any stern enforcement actions against the newspaper after the investigation is completed.
Sin Chew Daily published an illustration of the national flag without the crescent symbol on the cover yesterday, in conjunction with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Malaysia, which has drawn criticism from many quarters.
This issue has also caught the attention of the country's King, Sultan Ibrahim, who has instructed that the newspaper management and editorial team be more sensitive and rigorously review any content before publishing.