Jalur Gemilang gaffe: No need for excessive action, investigate fairly based on facts, say NUJ, CIJ

PETALING JAYA: The recent detention of senior editors from Sin Chew Daily has drawn sharp concern from media practitioners and watchdog groups, who describe the actions as excessive and detrimental to press freedom in the country.

National Union of Journalists Malaysia Sin Chew branch chairman Lim Kah Siang called on the public not to make any accusatory remarks against the individuals involved in the case.

She said those involved in the case had given their full cooperation to the authorities and hoped for a fair investigation to be carried out based on facts.

“We humbly appeal for no action or statement to be made that could cause harm, pressure, or pose any threat to the safety of any media personnel at any time,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) said that the detention of the editors under the Sedition Act and the Communications and Multimedia Act were excessive.

CIJ executive director Wathshlah Naidu said Sin Chew Daily had shown accountability and responsibility by apologising and removing the illustrations.

“There is also no indication that it was done maliciously. If the authorities use punitive laws like the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) 1984 then it becomes overkill.

“I think this is a very pivotal and critical moment for media freedom in Malaysia.

“Everybody will need to speak up, because if everybody makes errors right, the issue is, how are you dealing with errors?” she said when contacted Friday (April 18).

Sin Chew’s chief editor Chan Aun Kuang, and deputy chief sub-editor Tsai Shwu San were detained last night as part of an investigation into the illustration on the front page of its April 15 paper, which depicted the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent moon.

They were later released on police bail.

Bernama reported that Chan was said to be responsible for approving the publication of the illustration, while Tsai was the graphic designer behind the image.

The case is being investigated under Section 3(1)(c) of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963 and Section 4(1)(b) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

Sin Chew Daily has also suspended the two pending an investigation over the error.