As National Day approaches, the streets and skies across Malaysia are adorned with Merdeka-themed banners, flags, and billboards. However, a particular digital billboard in Desa Sri Hartamas has stirred controversy for a glaring mistake that has left many Malaysians baffled and disappointed.
The billboard, intended to showcase a patriotic message, instead featured an AI-generated image of the iconic KLCC twin towers except there was an unexpected addition. According to an X post by user @Acat, the visual included a third, peculiar-looking tower connected to the original Twin Towers by an oddly placed bridge. The post quickly went viral, garnering over 576,000 views and 1,100 reposts as of press time.
Spot the odd. pic.twitter.com/1JyQtffFSG
— Bob (@_Acat_) August 7, 2024
"Spot the odd (one out)," the user wrote, inviting others to identify the bizarre error. The post sparked significant backlash online, with many criticizing the carelessness behind the design.
One Facebook user expressed deep disappointment, highlighting that the Merdeka month is a time to celebrate Malaysia's patriotic spirit. The netizen emphasized that more effort should have been put into the billboard design, especially for such a significant occasion. The user also suggested that the person responsible could have easily sourced a proper image from widely available resources like Shutterstock, Freepik, or Pexels, rather than relying on a flawed AI-generated visual.
In response to the online outcry, the Brickfields District Police Headquarters swiftly took action. An official statement confirmed that the billboard was located in Desa Sri Hartamas and that the police had advised the advertising company to remove the display immediately.
"The National Day Greeting display that went viral on social media was from a Digital Billboard in the Desa Sri Hartamas area," the statement read. "The Brickfields District Police Headquarters (IPD) has advised the advertising company owner to take down the advertisement immediately."
The agency responsible for the visual also acknowledged the mistake and issued an apology. "We have identified the mistake in the visual shown on the screen and have immediately removed it. We apologize for any confusion that may have arisen and will reassess our procedures to prevent similar issues in the future," they stated.
As Malaysians prepare to celebrate National Day, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of diligence and attention to detail, especially when it comes to symbolizing national pride. While the billboard may have been a temporary oversight, it has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the public's expectations for patriotic displays in the future.
