Police will record statements from the chief editor and deputy chief editor of Sin Chew Daily on Thursday afternoon (April 17) in connection with the incomplete illustration of the national stripes published on the cover of Sin Chew Daily.
The National Police Chief, Tan Sri Razarudin, said the two will give their statements at 1 PM (April 17) at the Bukit Aman Police Headquarters Special Investigation Unit (USJT) in the Criminal Investigation Department.
He told Bernama that the chief editor approved the publication of the design, while the deputy editor was responsible for drawing the national flag.
“The police are investigating the case under Section 3(1)(c) of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963 and Section 4(1)(b) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.”
Razarudin said on Thursday (April 17) that 13 reports have been received nationwide regarding the incident.
In conjunction with Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Malaysia, Sin Chew Daily's comic design previewed on Tuesday's cover showed the national stripes on the ship lacking the crescent, sparking various discussions.
The newspaper subsequently issued an apology notice and explained that the error was unintentional during the design process.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim expressed on Facebook on Wednesday (April 16) that the newspaper's management and editorial departments should be more vigilant and carefully check all materials for publication before printing, emphasizing that the national flag is a symbol of national sovereignty and identity.
The management of Sin Chew Daily sincerely accepts the guidance given by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim on the error in the newspaper's cover design of the national flag.
The newspaper published a statement on its website “Sin Chew Network” on Wednesday evening (16th) stating that it has conducted a comprehensive internal review of the incident and that disciplinary action will be taken against negligent employees.