PETALING JAYA – Sin Chew Daily said it is taking disciplinary action against the staff member responsible for an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated image of the Malaysian flag that appeared without its crescent moon on the newspaper’s front page.
In a statement this evening, the daily said it has conducted a thorough internal review of the incident and has since strengthened its editorial procedures, particularly in the use of AI tools for content production.
“The management of Sin Chew Daily unreservedly acknowledges the advice of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, over the gaffe of the Jalur Gemilang displayed on its front page.
“We pledge to be extra cautious and sensitive in handling matters that may harm national dignity and interracial relations,” the newspaper said in a statement.
The error, published alongside the flag of the People’s Republic of China in conjunction with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s official visit to Malaysia, sparked a wave of public criticism and led to 13 police reports being lodged.
This comes after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim expressed dismay over the incident, saying the national flag is a sacred symbol of unity, sovereignty and national identity.
“The flag is not merely a colourful piece of cloth, but represents the struggles, history, meaning of independence, and the spirit of the people,” His Majesty said in a Facebook post.
“We, as citizens, fly the flag with pride and patriotism in our multiracial community,” he added, calling the omission “unacceptable” and urging the media to be more meticulous in its work.
Sin Chew attributed the mistake to an unintentional technical fault involving an AI-generated image and has apologised for the oversight.
Meanwhile, the Home Affairs Ministry (KDN) has issued the newspaper a show-cause letter and is summoning its management for further investigation.
In a statement, the ministry said the matter is being investigated under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963 and the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
It added that publishing the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent moon—an element representing Islam as the religion of the Federation—amounts to serious negligence.
“The Malaysian flag is not just a symbol, it is a symbol of sovereignty, unity and national identity of this country which must be respected and upheld by all,” said the ministry.
It added that appropriate enforcement action will be considered upon conclusion of the investigation. – April 16, 2025