Sin Chew Daily suspends two editors over national flag mistake

Sin Chew Daily has suspended its editor-in-chief Chan Aun Kuang, and deputy chief sub-editor Tsai Shwu San, pending investigations into the issue surrounding the publication of an image of the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent moon, on its 15 April edition. 

The newspaper's management said in a short two-paragraph statement seen by A+M, that the two top editors were "suspended with immediate effect based on the principle of accountability".

Don't miss: Sin Chew Daily vows stronger checks post flag error, journalist groups speak up

This also comes as its editors were released on police bail on Thursday night (17 April) after being detained for almost five hours, reported The Edge. 

The Chan and Tsai were said to have been detained at 4.45pm yesterday, then subsequently brought back to the Sin Chew Daily headquarters at 6pm for investigation. The police also seized the computer used to produce the image used in the frontpage. 

Meanwhile, the Star reported that 40 police reports have been lodged on the matter, according to the inspector-general of police Razarudin Husain.

A breakdown of the issue

Yesterday (15 April), Sin Chew Daily vowed to take disciplinary action against the staff who was found to be responsible for the erroneous publication of the national flag without its crescent moon, following a thorough internal review.

The publication said that its editorial department has also enhanced its review procedures especially in the use of artificial intelligence.

It also pledged to be more cautious, and acknowledged the advice from the King of Malaysia, who said that the mistake was unacceptable. 

On Wednesday (14 April), Sin Chew Daily issued an apology once the controversy cropped up, as the image of its frontpage gaffe was spreading online, garnering public backlash and attention. 

The Home Ministry and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) also released statements confirming that they will take action against Sin Chew Daily for misprinting the Jalur Gemilang. 

However, following severe public backlash from netizens, politicians and organisations, Gerakan Media Merdeka (GERAMM), a journalist group advocating for free and independent media, and the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) have condemned calls for extreme action against the Chinese-language paper.

They said that the punitive measures should not be made under outdated laws such as the Printing presses and publications act 1984. They also said that the reactions against Sin Chew Daily serve to endanger press freedom in Malaysia, and any further action taken should fall under the responsibility of the Malaysian media council. 

The Malaysian media council

Meanwhile, the Communications ministry said yesterday (17 April) that the media council will be the best platform to handle issues like Sin Chew Daily's flag gaffe, according to a report by Malaysiakini.

Its minister Fahmi Fadzil told the media at a press conference that until then, the existing processes will continue. This was in reference to the various investigations and action taken against Sin Chew Daily. 

Fahmi also confirmed that he and his deputy has met with the Sin Chew management to inform them of the ongoing investigations, according to NST. He said that the ministry has also decided to conduct a briefing session on the proper use of national symbols, particularly the Jalur Gemilang.

Earlier, A+M also reported that action is also being taken against another Chinese-language daily, Kwong Wah Yit Poh, after it uploaded a Facebook post which showed the front page of its 16 April evening edition. The front page also depicted the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent moon.

Similar sessions are also to be held with other media partners and corporate communications units within the next two weeks, said Fahmi. He also added that Sin Chew Daily's case falls under the home ministry's jurisdiction and not the MCMC directly, as the MCMC will just review the publication's ePaper. 

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