RTM Apologises for Misidentifying ASEAN Leaders During Live Broadcast

Malaysian state broadcaster Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) has issued a public apology for misidentifying the leaders of Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia during a live broadcast of the opening ceremony of the 47th ASEAN Summit on October 26, 2025.

Details of the Misidentifications

The live broadcast commentator mistakenly referred to Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as his predecessor, Lee Hsien Loong. Similarly, Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was misidentified as Srettha Thavisin, who had been removed from office in 2024. Additionally, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was incorrectly introduced as his predecessor, Joko Widodo.

RTM’s Response and Apology

RTM acknowledged the errors in statements issued in Malay on their official Facebook page. The broadcaster expressed serious concern over the misidentifications and assured the public that appropriate action had been taken. RTM extended its apologies to the affected leaders and their governments, emphasizing their commitment to enhancing editorial control and fact-checking procedures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Commitment to Improved Editorial Standards

In its apology, RTM reiterated its dedication to upholding the integrity of its broadcasts. The organization pledged to implement stricter editorial oversight and fact-checking measures to ensure the accuracy of information presented to the public.