Gerakan President Datuk Dr Dominic Lau has criticised the Education Ministry following its blunder in using incorrect versions of the Malaysian flag in the 2024 SPM exam report, calling it a severe lapse in responsibility.
He proposed that all Education Ministry personnel, especially the ministers and deputy ministers, be required to wear a national flag badge during working hours as a constant reminder of their duty.
‘Not just students who need educating’
Lau pointed out that while students have just started wearing flag badges since 21 April, the ministry itself committed a major mistake merely four days later.
He remarked that this shows the leadership within the ministry may also need to relearn the importance and design of the national flag.
He added that placing the badge on one’s chest is a practical and visual cue to instil respect and awareness of the nation’s symbols.
Senior officials should have caught the mistake
Lau expressed disbelief that such a crucial document, like the SPM results analysis, went through multiple rounds of approval without the error being detected.
He questioned how the report—likely reviewed by senior officials, including ministers—could be printed without any correction.
He called for the ministry to reveal the full chain of events leading to the mistake.
Ministers must be held accountable
In his statement, Lau labelled the mistake as “unthinkable” and “inexcusable,” especially coming from a key national department.
He urged the unity government to hold the responsible officials accountable, including the education ministers, and insisted that disciplinary action be taken to preserve national dignity.
Lau also stressed that although the ministry issued a prompt apology, accountability must follow.
He warned against selective enforcement, citing how media personnel from Sin Chew Daily were previously penalised for similar offences. He said authorities must avoid double standards and act fairly across all sectors.
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