KUALA LUMPUR (April 17): Sin Chew Daily has suspended two top editors, pending the outcome of an investigation into the publication of an incomplete image of the Jalur Gemilang on its front page on April 15.
The two are its editor-in-chief Chan Aun Kuang and its deputy chief sub-editor Tsai Shwu San.
In a statement on Thursday, the Chinese-language daily said the suspension takes effect immediately and will remain in place until the investigation is completed.
The paper recently came under scrutiny after publishing an illustration of the Jalur Gemilang on its front page on Tuesday, in conjunction with its coverage of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia. However, the flag appeared without the crescent moon.
The incident drew criticism from multiple parties, including the King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim, who slammed Sin Chew for the mistake, saying it was unacceptable and that the newspaper’s management and editorial team must be more vigilant and thoroughly vet materials before publication.
While Sin Chew Daily issued an immediate apology over the issue, explaining that the error was technical and unintentional, more than a dozen police reports were lodged against the newspaper.