Flag error on front page of daily unacceptable, says Malaysia’s King (2025)

PETALING JAYA — The mistake on the Jalur Gemilang (the national flag of Malaysia) displayed on the front page of a local Chinese newspaper is unacceptable, says the Malaysian King, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar.

Sultan Ibrahim said the flag is not merely a decorative piece of cloth, but rather represents the nation’s struggles, history, the meaning of independence and the spirit of its people.

“As citizens, we fly the flag with pride and patriotism across our multiracial society.

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“The mistake of displaying a picture of the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent moon as published on the front page of a local Chinese-language newspaper, can trigger the sensitivities of the people and is unacceptable,” Sultan Ibrahim said in a statement posted on Facebook on April 16.

Sultan Ibrahim also said the Jalur Gemilang is a symbol of sovereignty and identity of the country.

He said the management and editor of the newspaper should have been more sensitive and reviewed its material before publishing it.

In an immediate response to the King’s statement, Sin Chew Daily said it will take action against the staff responsible for the flag error.

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“The management of Sin Chew Daily unreservedly acknowledges the advice of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, over the gaffe of the Jalur Gemilang displayed on its front page.

“The King, who remarked that the Jalur Gemilang is a symbol of Malaysia, issued a reminder that the media must be careful and thorough in checking the contents before publication,” the statement read.

As such, the daily’s management had conducted a thorough internal review on the matter with the staff responsible for the error subjected to disciplinary action.

The editorial department of the daily has reviewed procedures, particularly with regard to the use of artificial intelligence, it said.

“We pledge to be extra cautious and sensitive in handling matters that may harm national dignity and interracial relations,” according to the statement.

The daily has since issued an apology in three languages, namely English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese, for the error.

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The daily said the illustration inadvertently omitted the crescent moon from the Malaysian flag published on April 15.

“This was an unintentional error made during the design process. We have amended the digital version, and the same notice will be published in the print version.

“We apologise unreservedly to our readers, members of the Malaysian community, and the general public. We regret the error,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Home Ministry has issued a show-cause letter to the daily and started an investigation into the matter.

In a statement issued on April 16, the ministry said it viewed the matter seriously and that the omission of the crescent moon, a symbol representing Islam as the religion of the Federation, was a serious oversight which should not have occurred.

“Besides this, the act reflects not only a lapse in professional standards but also has the potential to incite disharmony within the nation’s plural society,” it said.

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The ministry also stressed that the Jalur Gemilang is not merely a symbol but also embodies the nation’s sovereignty, unity and identity which must be respected and upheld by all parties.

“Any party that fails to adhere to the official specification of the flag as provided for under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963 can be subjected to action based on existing laws,” the ministry said.

Apart from this, the ministry said there will be no compromise against any party whose negligence threatens public order or national harmony as provided for under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

“Firm action on offences in accordance with these two laws will be considered once investigations are completed,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said a total of 13 police reports have been lodged against Sin Chew Daily over the matter.

“So far, we have received 13 police reports and we have commenced with the investigation.

“We are investigating under Section 4(1)(b) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984,” he said when contacted.