THE Editor-in-Chief and Deputy Chief Sub-Editor of Chinese-language daily Sin Chew Daily are expected to provide statements to the police today as part of an ongoing investigation into the publication of an incomplete image of the Malaysian national flag, the Jalur Gemilang, on the newspaper’s front page earlier this week.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed that the two individuals are scheduled to have their statements recorded at the Classified Criminal Investigation Unit at the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) headquarters in Bukit Aman at 1.00 pm.
According to Razarudin, the Editor-in-Chief is believed to have approved the publication of the front-page graphic, while the Deputy Chief Sub-Editor is understood to be the graphic designer responsible for the image.
“The case is being investigated 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,” he said when contacted earlier today.
The police have received 13 reports nationwide concerning the matter.
The controversy arose after Sin Chew Daily published an illustration of the Jalur Gemilang on the front page of its Tuesday edition, in conjunction with coverage of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia.
However, the depiction of the flag appeared incomplete, sparking public criticism.
Among those who voiced displeasure was His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim, who issued a statement urging the newspaper’s management and editorial department to exercise greater diligence and thoroughly vet all materials prior to publication.
In response to the backlash, Sin Chew Daily issued a formal apology yesterday, attributing the error to an “unintentional technical mistake.” – April 17, 2025
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