TLDR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has imposed a fine of RM100,000 on Sin Chew Media Corporation Bhd for publishing an incomplete image of the Malaysian flag, the ‘Jalur Gemilang’, on its digital platform. The error, which occurred on April 15, 2025, was attributed to a generative AI tool and lacked the crescent moon, a symbol of Islam. This incident highlights growing concerns over AI governance and human oversight in media content production.
KUALA LUMPUR – Sin Chew Media Corporation Bhd has been penalized with a RM100,000 fine by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) following an incident involving an inaccurately depicted Malaysian national flag, the ‘Jalur Gemilang’. The MCMC announced its decision on September 19, 2025, stating that the action was taken after obtaining approval from the Attorney General’s Chambers.
The infraction, which occurred on April 15, 2025, involved the publication of an incomplete image of the Jalur Gemilang on Sin Chew Daily’s digital website. The image, generated by artificial intelligence, notably omitted the crescent moon, a crucial element symbolizing Islam as the official religion of the Federation. This oversight was deemed a serious negligence by the Home Affairs Ministry, which had previously issued a show-cause letter and summoned the newspaper’s management for investigation under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963 and the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
MCMC emphasized that the Jalur Gemilang represents national sovereignty, unity, and dignity, and must always be displayed accurately and respectfully. Spreading false content, especially involving national symbols, could disrupt public peace and erode public trust in authorities. The investigation and penalty were conducted under Section 233(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, with penalties under Section 233(2) and compound action under Section 243 of the same law.
In response to the initial blunder, Sin Chew Daily had taken swift disciplinary action against the responsible staff member, including the suspension of its chief editor and deputy chief sub-editor. The media organization also issued an unreserved apology, acknowledging the advice of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, who had expressed dismay over the incident. The King stressed that the national flag is a sacred symbol and called for media organizations to be more meticulous in their work. Sin Chew Daily pledged to strengthen its editorial review processes, particularly concerning content generated by AI tools.
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This incident is not isolated. The MCMC also fined Sinar Karangkraf Sdn Bhd RM100,000 for publishing false claims about Inspector General of Police Khalid Ismail’s alleged political affiliation. Furthermore, other instances of flag misrepresentation have emerged, including one involving the Education Ministry, where an examination report displayed the Jalur Gemilang with two stars instead of one and eight stripes instead of the correct fourteen. Experts view these repeated errors as a ‘warning’ for Malaysia to implement clearer regulations and stronger governance frameworks for artificial intelligence, especially when dealing with subjects of national importance. Analysts, such as Nuurrianti Jalli from Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, highlighted that while public and private sectors readily adopt AI, they often overlook its flaws and potential harms, underscoring the critical need for human editorial judgment and quality control to prevent AI from replacing essential human oversight.
