KUALA LUMPUR: The investigation paper over an error of the Jalur Gemilang featured on Sin Chew Daily's front page illustration has been referred to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) on Friday (April 18), says Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.
The Inspector-General of Police said, based on the initial investigation, the daily claimed the mistake was due to a technical error but any further action will be decided by the AGC.
"We have referred the investigation paper on Friday.
"For now, the AGC is checking it before deciding on further action to be taken.
"If they instruct us to update the investigation paper, then we will do so," he said when contacted on Saturday (April 19).
The police have so far recorded the statements of 54 individuals to assist with the investigation, the IGP said.
"We already recorded the statements of 54 people, but we will call up other witnesses to provide their statements based on the needs of the investigation," he added.
On Thursday (April 17), the daily's executive editor-in-chief Chan Aun Kuang and deputy chief sub-editor Tsai Shwu San were detained after they were summoned by Bukit Aman to have their statements recorded.
ALSO READ: Sin Chew Daily suspends editors over flag error
The duo were subsequently released on the same night.
The IGP had said the case was being investigated under
Section 4(1)(b) of the Printing Presses and Publishing Act 1984 and Section 3(1)(c) of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963.
The Daily has also suspended Chan and Tsai over the error.
In a brief statement on its website, it said the decision was effective Thursday (April 17).
ALSO READ: Sin Chew Daily to take disciplinary action over flag gaffe
“Following the issue of a mistaken flag image on the front page of Sinchew Daily, and based on the principle of accountability, Sinchew Daily has decided to suspend executive editor-in-chief Chan Aun Kuang and deputy chief sub-editor Tsai Shwu San.
“The management of Sinchew Daily announced that this decision takes immediate effect and will remain in place until the investigation is concluded,” it said.
Following the backlash on the flag error, the newspaper issued an apology, stating that the mistake was a technical error and unintentional.
Sinchew Daily had said it will take action against personnel responsible for the flag error featured on its front-page illustration.
The daily said this in a statement issued late Wednesday (April 16) night and comes following a rebuke from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, over the error involving the Jalur Gemilang.
