One of Malaysia’s oldest Chinese-language newspapers, Sin Chew Daily, has come under fire for publishing a front-page image of the Malaysian flag without its crescent moon—a crucial Islamic symbol.
The mistake appeared in the 15 April 2025 edition, which reported the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping in Malaysia.
The image, designed to celebrate Malaysia-China diplomatic ties, depicted a symbolic boat bearing both nations’ flags and featured a poem:”
“We must take hold of the rudder of strategic guidance, bear the cornerstone of practical cooperation, steer the oar of cultural exchange, and raise the sail of multilateral collaboration.”
Unfortunate timing amid key visit
The error came at a sensitive time as President Xi Jinping’s visit marked an important diplomatic moment between the two countries.
The image was intended to represent both nations “sailing toward a shared future,” but the flawed execution instead sparked frustration and calls for greater editorial scrutiny, especially when national symbols are involved.
However, netizens quickly spotted that the Malaysian flag was incomplete, triggering criticism across social media.
Public reaction swift and harsh
Social media platforms lit up with reactions from Malaysians, many expressing disbelief over the mistake.
“Even the flag also can get wrong? This is embarrassing,” wrote one user.
More serious voices pointed out that the crescent moon isn’t just decorative—it symbolizes Islam as Malaysia’s official religion and is a mandatory element of the Jalur Gemilang.
Sin Chew Daily issues formal apology
Following the backlash, Sin Chew Daily published an apology in its ePaper and print editions.
The image used on today’s front page featured a Malaysian flag missing its crescent moon, which was an unintentional design error.
We sincerely apologise to all readers and members of the public for the oversight,” it wrote.
They also confirmed that the digital version had been updated with the correct flag.
AI art still needs a human touch
Screenshots of the error spread rapidly, with many criticising the over-reliance on AI for editorial visuals.
Several users commented that while AI tools can be useful, they still require human oversight, especially in high-stakes content involving cultural and national identity.
As one post summed up, “Without the crescent, it’s not just a graphic error. It changes the meaning entirely.”
