Police investigations free from political interference, says home minister
PETALING JAYA : Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says police investigations are free from political interference, including in its probe against editors of a Chinese daily over the incorrect depiction of the Jalur Gemilang.
Saifuddin said that police had investigated two Sin Chew Daily editors under Section 3(1)(c) of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963; Section 4(1)(b) of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984; and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Section 3(1)(c) deals with the use of an emblem without the permission of the minister, while Section 4(1)(b) deals with producing publications that cause hostility, enmity, hatred, disharmony or disunity.
Section 233 deals with improper use of network facilities.
'The police carry out their duties professionally, independently without any political interference, at all times,' he said in a written parliamentary reply.
Saifuddin said this in response to Lim Lip Eng (PH-Kepong) who wanted to know why the two editors were remanded over the gaffe but no arrests were made for a similar blunder by a PAS politician and the education ministry.
Lim had questioned the alleged double standards in the investigations.
In April, Sin Chew courted controversy for publishing an illustration featuring the Jalur Gemilang without the crescent moon, leading to a police investigation. Its two top editors were subsequently detained.
The daily swiftly apologised for the 'technical mistake' and suspended its chief editor and deputy chief sub-editor pending the outcome of the investigation.
A week after Sin Chew's snafu, the education ministry had to apologise for a mistake in the design of the Jalur Gemilang printed in its Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) results analysis report.
The report contained an image of a Jalur Gemilang with two stars, instead of one, hanging on a classroom wall. The flag had eight alternating red and white stripes instead of 14.
In May, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan acknowledged the incident involving the logo for the Himpunan Teguh Memimpin Terengganu (TMT 1.0) 2025, which depicted an incomplete national flag with incorrect star points and stripes.
He then called for a thorough investigation and firm action over the blunder.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
17 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Singapore at 60: PM Lawrence Wong's National Day call to stand united against headwinds (VIDEO)
SINGAPORE, Aug 9 — Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has urged Singaporeans to hold fast to the spirit of unity that built the nation six decades ago, warning that the years ahead will bring sterner tests amid a more fractured and volatile world. Delivering his National Day message yesterday from the Padang — the historic field where Singapore's first National Day Parade was held in 1966 — Wong said national cohesion, resolve and performance would be crucial to staying ahead in an era of deepening geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. 'As a small nation, we cannot afford to be divided. Our unity has always been our source of strength. When we stand together, there is nothing we cannot overcome,' he said, recalling how the Republic had prevailed against the odds since gaining independence in 1965. The address came on the eve of Singapore's 60th National Day, with celebrations returning to the Padang today. Before the message, a five-minute clip of founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew reading the Proclamation of Singapore — the document that marked the country's separation from Malaysia — was screened. Wong, who had spoken during the May general election of a changing and uncertain global landscape, said the situation had since worsened. 'New conflicts have broken out. Geopolitical tensions have deepened. Barriers to trade are hardening. And protectionist sentiments are worsening,' he said. 'To put it bluntly: The global order that enabled Singapore to thrive for decades is unravelling before our eyes.' Bigger powers, he noted, are increasingly willing to use economic, technological and geopolitical means to tilt the playing field in their favour — making it harder for small states like Singapore to compete. With the global economy expected to remain sluggish, Wong outlined steps the Singapore government is taking to safeguard livelihoods. The Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce, he added, is rolling out targeted support for businesses and workers while seeking new growth opportunities. While Singapore's economy remains resilient, he said the outlook is 'highly uncertain'. He also said that the country is therefore refreshing its economic strategy to strengthen competitiveness, deepen capabilities and secure its future. Five committees will study key areas including technology, entrepreneurship and productivity, he added. 'We must move faster, adapt quicker and innovate smarter,' Wong said, adding that technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics must be applied meaningfully across industries. While such transitions may cause disruption, he also said the Singapore government will expand training opportunities, bolster social safety nets and help those facing setbacks to bounce back. Measures such as the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme have already been introduced to assist the involuntarily unemployed, he added. Wong said more will be done to uplift lower-income families and widen opportunities for all, regardless of background. But this, he stressed, must be a joint effort. 'The government is partnering community groups, businesses, unions and individuals to shape solutions, put ideas into action, and make a difference,' he said. 'Singapore's future must be built by all of us together — through our actions, our compassion, and our willingness to lift up one another.' He also thanked voters for giving his government the political mandate to act decisively in his first electoral contest as prime minister, in which the People's Action Party won 87 out of 97 seats and 65.6 per cent of the vote. 'Your wisdom and trust give my government the political assurance to act boldly, and the confidence to lead with conviction,' he said.
Malay Mail
17 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Tengku Zafrul says PKR Ampang membership approved two weeks ago
OSAKA, Aug 9 — Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz has confirmed that his application to join PKR was accepted two weeks ago. The Investment, Trade and Industry Minister said he is now a member of the Ampang PKR division. 'I don't remember the exact date (the application was accepted), but it was during a meeting of the party's Central Leadership Council (MPP) two weeks ago,' he told Malaysian media here yesterday during a visit to the Malaysia Pavilion in conjunction with Expo 2025 Osaka. On May 30, Tengku Zafrul announced his resignation from Umno and expressed his intention to join PKR. In a letter to the Umno leadership, he stated his intention to resign as Supreme Council member, Kota Raja Umno Division chief, and Umno member. — Bernama
Malay Mail
17 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Son of Sabah's first governor Amir Kahar reunites with Jeffrey Kitingan in anti-corruption push
KOTA KINABALU, Aug 9 — Former Banggi assemblyman Datuk Amir Kahar Tun Datu Mustapha has re-entered the political arena, joining the Sabah-based Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star). The 75-year-old five-term state assemblyman and three-term MP for Marudu, submitted his membership form to Star President Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan at a low-key ceremony here on Wednesday, witnessed by senior party figure Datuk Jerry Ambuting Mohd Said. Amir Kahar is the son of the late Tun Datu Mustapha Datu Harun, Sabah's first Head of State and third Chief Minister. Despite his long absence from active politics, Amir said the gravity of Sabah's economic crisis and the pervasiveness of corruption compelled him to return. 'I'm less than 25 years away from turning 100, yet here I am, coming back, because I'm alarmed. 'This isn't a war we're fighting, its economic collapse. Corruption is everywhere. If not for that, I'd simply live out my days in peace,' he said. Describing his comeback as a moral and spiritual obligation, Amir said he had spent much of the past year reflecting on the path forward. 'This is my way of doing good, by returning to the political fight against corruption. 'I've thought long and hard, and I'm standing again with Dr Jeffrey not just a friend, but a brother-in-struggle. We've fought together since 1986. We were only ever separated by those who feared our unity.' He also took aim at the state's entrenched poverty, dismissing official categories of 'hardcore' or otherwise. 'To me, poverty is poverty and Sabah, once rich in resources, is today the poorest state in the country,' he said. Calling for a united front to protect the future of Sabah's youth, Amir urged the people not to remain passive. 'We elders have tasted hardship and prosperity. But the young those 15, 20, 30 years old they don't know it yet. It's our duty to ensure they have a future. These hands carry our fate, for better or worse,' he said. — Daily Express
