KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has assured the public that no double standards will be practised in addressing the erroneous depiction of the Jalur Gemilang in the Education Ministry’s Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results analysis report.
His senior press secretary, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, said a full investigation would be carried out, regardless of whether the parties involved are from local media, international companies, or government agencies.
“Recently, the Prime Minister once again expressed concern over a series of incidents involving errors in the display of the Jalur Gemilang, our national flag which symbolises the sovereignty and dignity of the nation.
“As is widely known, these incidents began with a mistake by a newspaper last week, followed by a foreign company participating in an exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, and most recently, today, with the incomplete depiction of the flag in the SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) performance report issued by the Ministry of Education,” he said.
Tunku Nashrul said the Prime Minister believed the mistakes might have stemmed from the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating the images—whether intentional or not—but stressed that the issue touches on national sensitivities and should not be taken lightly.
“On the use of AI, it must come with responsibility. The Prime Minister welcomes innovation in technology, including the growing role of AI across various sectors.
“However, he insists it must not replace editorial judgment and human oversight in quality control,” he said.
The Education Ministry (MoE), now facing backlash for the gaffe, issued a formal apology today over the incorrect flag illustration in its official report.
In a statement, the ministry acknowledged the error and confirmed that immediate and firm action had been taken against those responsible. It added that a comprehensive investigation was already underway.
“This negligence is unacceptable, as the Jalur Gemilang is a symbol of national pride and sovereignty,” the statement read.
The ministry has since recalled all printed copies of the report and is working to issue corrected versions.
This incident follows a string of recent controversies involving inaccurate depictions of the Malaysian flag, raising broader concerns over the proper handling of national symbols.
On April 15, Sin Chew Daily was criticised for publishing an image of the Jalur Gemilang on its front page that was missing the crescent moon, during its coverage of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit.
The mistake drew backlash from the public and from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim. The publication cited a technical glitch as the cause of the error and has since suspended two top editors. A corrected version of the flag was featured on the front page yesterday as a gesture of respect.
In a separate incident at the Baby Expo held in Mid Valley, Singapore-based brand Singapore Lactation Bakes also displayed a version of the national flag without the crescent moon at its booth. The Home Ministry has since launched an investigation, while the organisers acted swiftly to remove the booth and reaffirm their commitment to public accountability. – April 24, 2025
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