PETALING JAYA: The Home Ministry has issued a show-cause letter and initiated an investigation into Sin Chew Daily over a flag error featured on their front-page illustration.
In a statement on Wednesday (April 16), the ministry said it viewed the matter seriously and has since hauled up the daily for an explanation.
The omission of the crescent moon, a symbol representing Islam as the religion of the Federation, was described by the ministry as a serious oversight which should not have occurred.
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"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,” the Ministry said.
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 noted.
Apart from this, the ministry said that 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 offenses in accordance with these two laws will be considered once investigations are completed,” the statement said.
In light of the incident, the ministry summoned Sin Chiew Daily on Wednesday (April 16) including issuing a show cause letter as part of its ongoing probe.
Being the ministry in charge of safeguarding security and public order, it said that it would not tolerate any attempt, intentional or otherwise, by any party undermining the stability and wellbeing of the country.
Sin Chew had since issued an apology in three languages for the error in its front-page illustration. The apology was made in English, Bahasa Malaysia, and Chinese. According to a statement from the Chinese daily, the illustration inadvertently omitted the crescent from the Malaysian flag published on Tuesday (April 15).
