Malaysia’s communications regulator fined two major media outlets RM100,000 (USD 23,800) each last week for content violations. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) penalized Sin Chew Daily (星洲日报) for publishing an incomplete Malaysian flag image missing the crescent symbol, and Sinar Harian (阳光日报) for falsely identifying the police chief as a political party member on Instagram. Sin Chew Daily announced it would appeal the decision. The Malaysian Media Council, an independent self-regulatory body, criticized the fines as damaging press freedom, while the Malaysia Chinese Media Editors Association (马来西亚华文媒体编辑人协会) said the penalties would hinder media development. MCMC emphasized that the national flag “Jalur Gemilang” must always be displayed accurately as a symbol of sovereignty and unity, warning that false information can undermine public trust and order.
