PETALING JAYA: The education ministry has apologised for a mistake in the design of the Jalur Gemilang printed in its Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results analysis report, the latest snafu involving the national flag.

The ministry said a thorough investigation was ongoing and admitted that the mistake was unacceptable.

“We have asked for the analysis report that was distributed earlier today to be returned, and amendments are being made,” it said in a statement.

“This carelessness is unacceptable as the Jalur Gemilang symbolises the nation’s dignity and sovereignty. Stern and immediate action has been taken against all parties involved,” it added.

The report contained an image of students in a classroom, with a Jalur Gemilang with two stars instead of one hanging on the wall. The flag also only had eight alternating red and white stripes instead of 14.

Last week, Sin Chew Daily courted controversy for publishing a graphic illustration featuring the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent moon, leading to a police investigation and the detaining of two top editors.

Sin Chew swiftly apologised for the “technical mistake” and suspended its chief editor and deputy chief sub-editor pending the outcome of the investigation.

Kwong Wah Yit Poh is also being investigated over a Facebook post purportedly showing the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent moon.

A Singapore-based baby food vendor that opened a booth at a trade show in Kuala Lumpur also recently apologised for putting up a video showing the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent moon.

sos

The newspaper mistake is much worse than MoE mistake.

By illustrating the China flag slightly bigger and placing it in front of our own national flag without crescent symbol is like a treasonous gesture.

As if they are hinting that they want to remove our country official religion.

PM reminds ministries to be more sensitive to national identity elements, says senior press sec


PETALING JAYA: Following a Jalur Gemilang error by the Education Ministry, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded government ministries to be more sensitive towards matters pertaining to national identity, says his senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah.

Tunku Nashrul said Anwar is concerned over the slew of recent incidents involving errors on the Jalur Gemilang, as it touched on national sensitivities.

“The Prime Minister reminds ministries to show higher sensitivity to elements relating to national identity, especially in official documents involving millions of students and parents,” said Tunku Nashrul in a press briefing broadcast via Anwar’s Facebook page on Thursday (April 24).

Tunku Nashrul said the Education Ministry is currently conducting internal investigations and Anwar has stressed that there will be no double standards in this issue.

“Investigations are made without taking into account whether it is local media, international company, or government agency.

“The principles of justice and respect towards the national symbol must be upheld by all, without any exceptions,” he said.

Tunku Nashrul said the slew of errors involving the Jalur Gemilang is believed to be caused by the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

He said the Prime Minister welcomed technological innovation, but stressed that AI must never replace editorial responsibility and quality control by humans.

“Each material involving the national symbol and public sensitivities must be thoroughly checked with respect and collective responsibility.

“AI is a great tool, but if misused, it could undermine national harmony,” added Tunku Nashrul.

On Thursday (April 24), the Education Ministry issued an apology for the error in its depiction of the Jalur Gemilang in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) Examination Results Analysis Report.

The Education Ministry said action had been taken against those involved and a detailed investigation is underway.

The AI-generated photos have been removed from the soft copy of the report on the Examinations Board website.

Last Sunday (April 20), Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil also called for action after an incident where a booth at a baby product exhibition showcased the Jalur Gemilang without its crucial crescent moon, which represents Islam as Malaysia’s official religion.

Presently, Chinese language dailies Kwong Wah Yit Poh and Sin Chew Daily are also being probed for publishing a wrong Jalur Gemilang.

The Home Ministry is probing Kwong Wah Yit Poh over a Facebook post showing the Jalur Gemilang on April 16 without the crescent moon.

Sin Chew Daily also made a similar error in the front page of its April 15 edition, where they depicted the national flag without the crescent moon.

Sin Chew Daily had since publicly apologised and suspended its chief editor and deputy chief sub-editor over the front-page error.

if u want to do it this way sure.

MOE version:

1. the flag is reverse (based on the crescent orientation at the side) - they are implying government is "backward"..
2. the number of stripe is lesser than it should, implying disrespect to some of the states.
3. 2 stars possible hinting dual federal signaling separation of peninsula and S&S..

Why not? The other terrorists demanded the same during sin chew issue.

Why can't we?

Itulah, don't invest too much in the flag. The flag can feed you when you hungry? Oh, also don't depend too much on AI too

MoE doesn't have a big red flag mistake in front cover, period.

I'm not saying MoE should escape from being punished, but Sin Chew mistake is even more severe than MoE.

Since we know you guys look down on our language and our religion, not everyone, but some.

Nah, MoE has the civic & national duty to educate the citizen, so they need to be held at a higher standard and rightfully so.

1 private media outlet can close down and it will be comparatively inconsequential.

I beg to differ, so I agree to disagree.

kasi chan la macha

everyone makes mistakes sometimes

I also hope to be forgiven when it is my turn to make mistakes