Mid Valley Baby Expo Sparks Outrage Over Malaysian Flag Error — Netizens Cry Foul Over Repeated Mistakes
Jalur Gemilang And The Midvalley Baby Expo: Malaysia’s Latest National Symbol Screw Up
The incident follows uncomfortably close to similar controversies involving Chinese-language newspapers Sin Chew Daily and Kwong Wah Yit Poh, both under investigation for comparable infractions.
In the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s bustling Mid Valley Megamall, what should have been a routine baby products expo has erupted into a national controversy, adding another chapter to Malaysia’s ongoing saga of flag-related incidents.
The culprit? A booth design that committed the cardinal sin of displaying the Malaysian flag, Jalur Gemilang, minus its crucial crescent moon symbol – an emblem representing Islam as the federation’s official religion.
Singapore Lactation Bakes (SLB), the company behind the controversial display at TCE Baby Expo, found itself at the centre of a social media firestorm recently.
Their booth’s backdrop featured Malaysia’s striped flag with its 14-pointed star but conspicuously missing the iconic crescent moon, a design faux pas that sent ripples through the nation’s social consciousness.
A Pattern of Patriotic Missteps?
The timing couldn’t have been more sensitive.
This incident follows closely on the heels of similar controversies involving two Chinese-language newspapers, Sin Chew Daily and Kwong Wah Yit Poh, both of which are currently under investigation for similar infractions under the Emblems and Names (Preventing Improper Use) Act 1963.
Sin Chew Daily has suspended its editors due to a mistake involving the Malaysian flag, referred to as a ‘technical error’. At the same time, the editor-in-chief and deputy chief sub-editor of Kwong Wah Yit Poh have been detained to assist with inquiries regarding the flag errors.
But what really caught the attention of Malaysians was the repetition. With this latest Mid Valley incident, many netizens noted that this is the third time in recent weeks the Jalur Gemilang has been misrepresented in a public setting.
“Something’s fishy,” said one user on social media. “How can three different organisations make the same mistake? Are we supposed to believe it’s all just coincidence?”
Public frustration has boiled over, with some calling for accountability and proper oversight, accusing organisers and publishers of either gross negligence or deliberate disrespect.
UMNO Youth Chief Dr. Akmal Saleh didn’t mince words in his response, dismissing apologies as insufficient and calling for stricter laws to prevent future occurrences.
“Do first, apologise later,” he remarked sarcastically, highlighting a pattern of reactive rather than preventive measures.
As the investigations continue, the message from Malaysians is clear: get the flag right, or be prepared to answer for it.
