Sinar Harian to strengthen quality control measures after IGP infographic blunder

Malaysian Malay-language daily, Sinar Harian, has apologised over the publication of an infographic involving false information about the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohd Khalid Ismail.

This is after the news outlet, under Karangkraf Media Group, was called out by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and political party PKR for wrongfully identifying Khalid Ismail as a PKR member. Sinar Harian acknowledged its mistake in a statement published on its social media accounts yesterday (22 June), and apologised to the IGP and members of the public.

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It also added that it is committed to improving its quality controls and editorial processes to ensure the credibility and accuracy of information it disseminates to the public. In light of this, the publication has also temporarily suspended the staff member from its social media unit responsible for the infographic mistake, as well as the supervising officer involved as a precautionary measure.

In explaining the reason for the blunder, Sinar Harian said the staff member had reused an old design template which was used for an infographic about Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul. The publication also shared that it will be running internal investigations to identify if any elements of sabotage were involved. 

"As a step of responsibility, Sinar Harian has lodged a police report to officially inform the authorities of the incident and to allow space for further investigation if needed," the statement read. 

Earlier on the same day, PDRM released a media statement informing the public about the false report about its IGP Khalid Ismail, clarifying that the new police chief has never been a part of any political party. "The information was false, confusing and had caused the wrong perception while also creating doubt over the credibility of the force," said the police secretary, senior assistant commander Kamaruzaman Abdullah.

"We strongly rebuke the carelessness by the media over the unchecked information, which has now affected the reputation of the police force and the IGP. The force stands on the principles of neutrality, integrity and professionalism," he added. 

Meanwhile, PKR has also clarified that the new IGP has never been a member of the party, contrary to the information stated on Sinar Harian's infographic. Its secretary-general Fuziah Salleh said that such an error should not have occurred and called on the news outlet to conduct an internal inquiry. 

Mohd Khalid was appointed as the 15th IGP effective 20 June, and was most recently the Bukit Aman Special Branch principal assistant director since 2021. He takes over the position from Razarudin Husain, whose two-year contract as IGP ended. 

This comes a few months after Sin Chew Daily came under fire for publishing a front-page image of the Malaysian flag, Jalur Gemilang, without its crescent moon. The image was part of its 15 April 2025 edition, which covered the arrival of China president Xi Jinping in Malaysia, marking his second official trip to the country in 12 years.

Following which, the Chinese-language 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 in a statement, that its editorial department has also enhanced its review procedures especially in the use of artificial intelligence. 

It also suspended its editor-in-chief Chan Aun Kuang, and deputy chief sub-editor Tsai Shwu San, pending investigations into the issue. At the end of April, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it completed its investigation into Sin Chew Daily's error, and the investigation papers have been submitted to the deputy public prosecutor for further action.

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