PUTRAJAYA: Actions regarding mistakes on the country’s flag will be taken according to the rule of law, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The minister was responding to questions about a recent mistake by Chinese daily Sin Chew during a monthly meeting at the Home Ministry headquarters on Tuesday (April 22).
“The Ministry has contacted Sin Chew and they have responded. We will study their explanation professionally and make a decision based on facts.
“I would like to remind everyone that the flag is our country’s identity. Any negligence, carelessness, and irresponsibility must be avoided, and if they occur, we will handle them responsibly according to the law,” he said.
He added that the matter was being investigated under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963 and the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
When asked about a similar mistake at a recent expo, he said the public brought the issue to the Ministry’s attention.
“They will also go through the same process,” he said.
On April 17, the media reported the detention of the Sin Chew Daily editors to assist in the investigation of the incomplete Jalur Gemilang illustration.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed that both individuals were detained for further investigation.
Previously, the daily published the Jalur Gemilang on its front page for coverage of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Malaysia, but the image was incomplete.
The incident received criticism from various parties, including the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim, who said the newspaper's management should check materials thoroughly before printing.
The newspaper apologised and explained it was an unintended technical error.
