JOHOR BAHRU, April 21 - The action to arrest the editor of a Chinese-language newspaper following the publication of an incomplete Jalur Gemilang illustration is in accordance with existing legal provisions.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil explained that the investigation was conducted to obtain further information and was not intended to tarnish the image of any party.

“There are three aspects involved in this investigation. First, under the Printing Presses and Publications Act (operated by the Ministry of Home Affairs) because the offence was first detected in the print edition of the newspaper concerned. The Ministry of Home Affairs has taken appropriate steps,” he said.

The case is also being investigated under the National Emblems (Control of Display) Act 1949 (Act 193) and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, with the involvement of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

Fahmi said the investigation involved several related agencies before being referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor (TPR) for further action.

He said this after a working visit to the National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) at the Taman Sri Skudai City Hall, Johor Bahru.