PUTRAJAYA — The Home Ministry is investigating a video clip showing an incomplete national flag displayed at a baby expo in the capital, minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.
The investigation will be conducted in the same manner as the probe into a previous incident involving the publication of an incomplete Jalur Gemilang illustration on the front page of Chinese newspaper Sin Chew Daily.
“I take this opportunity to remind all parties that the national flag is a symbol of our national identity, carrying deep meaning and significance,” he said, according to Bernama.
“Therefore, any form of negligence, carelessness, or oversight that could cause public unease must be avoided,” he told a press conference after the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly held here today.
The video clip of the incomplete national flag was taken at the booth of the Singapore Lactation Bakes (SLB) company which participated at the TCE Baby Expo at Mid Valley recently.
The flag, shown behind the stage, was missing the crescent moon symbol, prompting widespread public criticism.
After the video went viral and subsequent backlash online, SLB quickly vacated its exhibition booth, and expo organisers acknowledged the blunder, saying the illustration had been provided by the exhibitor.
It was also reported that at least five police reports had been lodged over SLB’s wrong illustration of the Malaysian flag.
On the investigation into Sin Chew Daily, Saifuddin Nasution said the ministry received a response from the newspaper yesterday and is currently reviewing it before deciding further action.
The Chinese-language daily had published the incomplete flag illustration on its front page as part of its coverage of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent state visit to Malaysia. The omission drew criticism from various quarters, including His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, who urged the newspaper’s management and editorial team to be more sensitive and to thoroughly review all content prior to publication.
Sin Chew Daily has since issued an apology, saying that the incident was an unintentional technical error. – April 22, 2025