Johor Bahru: The police detention of the chief editor and deputy chief sub-editor of Sin Chew Daily, related to the publication of an incomplete illustration of the Jalur Gemilang on the newspaper's front page, was conducted in accordance with the law. Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil stated that the police are legally empowered to detain any party necessary to facilitate investigations into the matter.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the initial offence was detected in the print edition of Sin Chew, prompting a preliminary investigation under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, enforced by the Home Ministry (KDN). The investigation also involves the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963 and several other acts under police jurisdiction. Fahmi addressed these legal proceedings after visiting the NADI Centre in Taman Sri Skudai.

Fahmi was responding to concerns raised by certain quarters over the police's decision to detain the newspaper's personnel for investigation purposes. On April 17, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed that the chief editor and deputy chief sub-editor were detained to assist in the investigation and were subsequently released after their statements were recorded.

Sin Chew Daily published the incomplete illustration of the Jalur Gemilang as part of its coverage of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Malaysia. The incident drew criticism from various quarters, including His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, who emphasized the need for the newspaper's management and editorial department to have been more vigilant in reviewing materials before publishing.

Following the backlash, the Chinese daily issued an apology, explaining that the publication of the incomplete flag was an unintentional technical error.