Displaying Jalur Gemilang Without Crescent Must Never Happen Again

Barnama

21-04-2025

GENERAL
GEORGE TOWN, April 21 (Bernama) -- The recent display of the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent moon should never have happened, and all parties must take steps to ensure such incidents are not repeated, said National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.
He stressed that such errors can cause public unease and undermine the spirit of unity and harmony that Malaysians have long upheld.
'It's deeply regrettable – this should not happen in a country that has proudly flown the same flag for decades. I believe many were shocked to see the crescent missing from the flag. I, too, was surprised.
'Please, don't let this happen again. It can create confusion and disharmony. At the Ministry, we are committed to fostering unity, peace, and togetherness — because unity brings prosperity and drives national progress. We must preserve the peace we enjoy,' he said after attending the Empowering Education Summit 2025 here today.
Aaron urged all agencies, media outlets, and private organisations to verify the accuracy of the Jalur Gemilang before displaying or publishing it, especially on public platforms or at official events.
When asked whether the apologies issued by the parties involved were sufficient, Aaron said it was the right first step, but any further action would be at the discretion of the relevant authorities.
'Mistakes must be acknowledged, and an apology is the least that can be done. However, if the agency involved feels further action is necessary, that's their prerogative,' he said.
Last Tuesday, Sin Chew Daily published an incomplete image of the Jalur Gemilang on its front page while covering Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Malaysia. The flag shown was missing the crescent moon - a key symbol representing Islam, the country's official religion. The newspaper later issued a public apology, attributing the incident to an unintentional technical error.
In a separate case, Singapore-based baby food company Singapore Lactation Bakes (SLB) also apologised after a promotional video at a baby product exhibition in Kuala Lumpur featured the Malaysian flag without the crescent.