Maszlee Slams Embarrassing Flag Gaffe Urges Top Moe Officials To Resign

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Former education minister Maszlee Malik has called for accountability over an inaccurate Jalur Gemilang in an Education Ministry document, describing the mistake as “embarrassing” and indicative of deeper systemic failures.
In a statement today, Maszlee said such errors in official publications, such as the recent SPM Analysis report, reflected negligence and a lack of discipline among those entrusted with overseeing public education materials.
“This raises the question: How could an official government document make such an error concerning the national flag?
“Even worse, it was issued by the Education Ministry - the very body entrusted to educate the public.
“The answer is simple: negligence, carelessness, a lack of attention to detail, and poor discipline in fulfilling one’s responsibilities,” he said.
Maszlee said during his time helming the ministry, strict procedures were in place involving multiple layers of checks and approvals before any document was released.
He stressed that if the same procedures were followed in this case, then those in charge must be held accountable.
“For the sake of the country, and to uphold the Madani governance image championed by the prime minister, the education director-general, the relevant deputy director-general, and the Examination Board director must take responsibility and resign - with dignity,” he said.
“Resigning is not shameful when it is driven by principle and national honour,” he added in a Facebook post.
Latest controversy
Maszlee said officials at various levels would have reviewed and signed off on such documents before they reached the minister’s desk, and it was unacceptable that such glaring errors - involving the Jalur Gemilang - were not flagged.
However, the Simpang Renggam PKR chief’s call for resignations did not extend to Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, also from PKR.
The latest controversy involved an artificial intelligence-generated image used in the 2024 SPM Analysis report depicted a Jalur Gemilang with two stars instead of one, and eight red and white stripes instead of 14.
Another image on page 14 showed the flag without the 14-point star. The crescent moon was instead depicted alongside a yellow comma-shaped blob.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, through his senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, stressed that artificial intelligence could not replace editorial responsibility and human quality control, especially in content involving national symbols or public sensitivities. - Mkini

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