A publisher who crossed the line by redesigning the country’s Coat of Arm could face stiff punishment for the act. The art which appeared in the book published by the individual depicted the symbols derogatorily when the artist replaced the images with a naked child on the moon and added a crocodile over the banner.

Communication and Multimedia Minister, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah called out the act as despicable and unforgivable. Those who willfully desecrate our national symbol should be given the highest punishment without compromise, the Coat of Arms should be respected and regarded highly he said. While the publisher has since come forth and apologised, the Minister has not accepted the apology and instead instructed the police to conduct a full investigation against the company.

Malaysia’s Coat of Arms is a coat of arms comprising a shield or escutcheon, two tigers for supporters, a crescent and fourteen-pointed star for a crest and a motto. As the Malaysian coat of arms descended from that of the Federated Malay States under British colonial rule, it resembles European heraldic designs.