In a statement on the king’s official Facebook page, Sultan Ibrahim said Sin Chew Daily’s management and editorial department should have been more vigilant and reviewed all materials before printing.
Stressing that the Jalur Gemilang is a symbol of Malaysia’s sovereignty and identity, Sultan Ibrahim said Malaysians have a strong sense of pride and patriotism for the flag.
“The flag is a symbol of national sovereignty and should not be ridiculed.
“The mistake of displaying the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent moon as published on the front page of a local Chinese-language newspaper can trigger public sensitivities and is unacceptable,” he said.
Sin Chew Daily yesterday apologised for an illustration on the front page of its newspaper that wrongly depicted the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent moon, attributing the gaffe to a “technical mistake”.
In a statement, the home ministry said it is investigating the incident under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963 and the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
The ministry also said it had issued Sin Chew Daily with a show cause letter and had summoned its management.
“Publishing the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent moon – which represents the position of Islam as the religion of the federation – is a serious oversight and should never have occurred,” it said.
“Not only does this act reflect a lapse in professional standards, it could also provoke disharmony among the country’s multiracial society.”
The ministry stressed that any party which fails to comply with official flag specifications as outlined under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act may be subjected to legal action.
It also said firm action would be taken against any party which published material that might threaten public safety and order as stipulated under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
“Strict enforcement measures for violations of both Acts will be considered once the investigation is complete,” it said.
“As the ministry responsible for maintaining security and public order, we will not tolerate any attempts to undermine or threaten the stability, harmony, and wellbeing of the nation.”