Streaming platform iQIYI has removed its embarrassing Malaysia Day poster from the internet after its tagline was widely misread as “Anal Malaysia” instead of “Anak Malaysia” (Child of Malaysia).
The poster went up on Sept. 9 to promote local shows on its platform in conjunction with Malaysia Day on Wednesday. But it was taken down after the choice of typeface drew the wrong kind of attention from hundreds of people who were largely amused by the design flaw. The Chinese company has since apologized for the design in a lighthearted statement.
“Hey you alls, we saw your reactions on our campaign logo and… we wanted to confirm that it’s ‘Anak Malaysia’ and nothing else! We’re sorry if our logo design created any confusion. Next time we check at least 50 times a day. We did not intend to offend any parties,” it said yesterday. iQIYI also cheekily told people not to misread the caption aloud “in front of the kids.”
The poster is no longer available from the company’s social media pages and website but is being shared widely by others online.
“When you’re patriotic but also gay,” Twitter user @Afiqdeen said.
https://twitter.com/AfiqDeen/status/1304807548843749383
“OMG WHO APPROVED THIS?” @Sharmaineishak chimed in.
“Anal Malaysia? What?” @Sadiqasyraf said.
It was meant to promote award-winning Malaysian films and international films that featured Malaysians as part of celebrations to commemorate the establishment of the Malaysian federation. Movies include Lee Chong Wei – Rise Of The Legend, The Journey, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny which stars Hollywood-based Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh.
Other than that tagline, the poster also featured a backdrop of Malaysian talents including actor Tosh Chan as badminton athlete Lee Chong Wei and actor Luqman Hafidz from local movie Ola Bola.
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