Heads Must Roll Perkasa Protests Outside Sin Chew Office

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Several Malay-rights activists have urged Sin Chew Daily to sack two of its editorial members held accountable for the publication of an incomplete Jalur Gemilang illustration on the newspaper’s front page.
Protesting outside the Chinese-daily headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Perkasa Youth chief Zool Amali Hussin and eight others insisted they rejected Sin Chew’s apology following the publication error.
“We reject the apology. ‘Tiada maaf bagimu!’ (Sorry no cure).
“We demand Sin Chew sack the two editors. Or else, we urge the Home Ministry to suspend the newspaper’s licence,” said Zool, also known as Bozz Jebat.
Perkasa Youth chief Zool Amali Hussin (left) at the protest this morningA police car was parked outside Sin Chew’s main entrance today, and some two dozen uniformed and plain clothes personnel were seen observing the protest that lasted about 20 minutes.
On Tuesday, the Chinese language newspaper published the incomplete illustration of the Jalur Gemilang on its front page in conjunction with coverage of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia.
The Malaysian flag was missing its crescent moon, which led to backlash.
Sin Chew had since apologised for the blunder and published a corrected version of the illustration in the next day’s edition. It blamed the mistake on a technical error.
Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain confirmed that Sin Chew’s chief editor and deputy chief sub-editor were investigated, briefly detained, and released on police bail.
Sin Chew also suspended the chief editor responsible for approving the publication of the illustration, as well as the deputy chief sub-editor who was the graphic designer behind the image.
Islamic elements
Zool said they lodged another police report this morning at the Dang Wangi police station, demanding a probe against the alleged act described as “insulting and demeaning the nation’s sovereignty” through “removing” the crescent moon - a symbol of Islam.
“Today, I also want to be a ‘teacher’ and school them on the meaning of the crescent moon.
“The crescent moon symbolises Islam as the country’s official religion,” he said.
“I want to call the Sin Chew representative to school them.
“They have lived in Malaysia for years but yet still don’t understand the meanings behind the Jalur Gemilang? Better to berambus (get out)... no point being a Malaysian,” he stressed.
A representative from Sin Chew’s editorial team accepted a memorandum from the protestors
Teach all a lesson
Echoing Zool’s call for the duo’s sacking, Perkasa information chief Irwan Fahmi Ideris claimed it was not the first time a newspaper published images insulting to Islam, and so stern actions must be taken as a lesson.
“Even if we ask a Standard One student, they will know the Malaysian flag.
“Malaysia is a multi-racial country, so I don’t think only Perkasa should defend the nation’s sovereignty, but every single one of us,” he said.
“I am confident that before any of these newspapers are published, many people will check, so I reject that this (incomplete flag) was a mistake or any other excuses.
“We demand they (Sin Chew) sack the two individuals, and after this, we will go to the Home Ministry, said Irwan, adding that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has also issued a decree and called the action unacceptable.
‘Revoking licence fair move’
The Home Ministry’s suspension of a publication licence under the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) 1984 would affect all staff rather than just the individuals allegedly responsible.
Asked whether the move would be fair to others in the company, Zool insisted it was a necessary government action.
“For me, it is fair, to serve as a lesson for all Sin Chew staff. It’s impossible that no one spotted a front-page error.
“It’s not hidden in the back pages. Are they blind?” said the former Umno Youth leader who in 2022 reportedly joined PAS.
Zool later led the group to submit another memorandum to the Home Ministry in Putrajaya, received by an aide to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The group raised three demands:
For an investigation to determine whether the error was a mistake or intentional.
To take actions under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963 or other relevant Acts.
To review Sin Chew’s publishing license if the error was found to be a recurring mistake, or had “unpatriotic” intentions.
Media council
Yesterday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, as well as veteran journalist A Kadir Jasin, expressed hope that the soon-to-be established Malaysian Media Council will be the best platform to handle such mistakes by a newspaper.
Fahmi also said he met with the Sin Chew management along with his deputy, Teo Nie Ching, and informed them that investigations will be ongoing.
Other than Section 4(1)(b) of the PPPA, the case is also being investigated under Section 3(1)(c) of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963. - Mkini

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