The Ministry of Education issued an immediate public apology yesterday (April 24) following a Jalur Gemilang blunder on printed SPM reports. The printed image featuring the inaccurate Malaysian flag was AI-generated.
This was the 4th Malaysian flag error in April alone, following two local Chinese newspaper outlets and a baby expo that went viral for similar issues. Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim responded to the MOE’s Jalur Gemilang fiasco and assured the public that there would be no double standards in the investigation.
In a video posted on his Facebook and through his Senior Press Secretary, Tunku Nashrul Tunku Abaidah, PMX said the incorrect display of Jalur Gemilang should not be taken lightly, whether it was done intentionally or not.
“Artificial Intelligence cannot replace human responsibility and quality control”
Whether it is the local media, international companies, or government agencies, Tunku Nashrul said that the PM assured no double standards on the issue, and stressed that the principles of justice and respect for national symbols must be upheld by all.
Tunku Nashrul also said that although the PM welcomed innovations in technology, including AI, he stressed that we shouldn’t allow AI to take over editorial work, and the responsibility of quality control still lies in our hands.
“AI is a great tool but if it is used carelessly, it can bring implications to the harmony and unity of the country,” Tunku Nashrul said.
The inaccurate AI-generated image printed by the MOE shows students in a classroom, with the Jalur Gemilang hanging on the top left corner, with two stars instead of one. The flag also has eight red and white stripes instead of 14 alternating red and white stripes.
MOE, in its statement, said that stern actions have been taken against those responsible, and the printed materials have been recalled as the agency corrected the mistake.
