KPDNKK apologises after being dogged by CNY advertisement snafu
SAYS.COM
New Straits Times16 February 2018
KUALA LUMPUR: On Thursday night, the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (KPDNKK) issued an apology on its official Facebook page regarding its full-page Chinese New Year advertisement which appeared in major newspapers, depicting a "barking rooster" instead of a dog.
The ad, which appeared on Feb 15, featured a cock barking "Wang! Wang!"… in the Year of the Dog. While the original meaning of “wang” is “prosperity,” it featured in numerous CNY ads as the sound made by a dog.
Pictures of the ad, which were shared by confused and bemused netizens, quickly went viral on social media.
The ministry said that it happened due to a "technical error".
"KPDNKK would like to extend a million apologies for the publishing of the Chinese New Year advertisement. It was due to a technical error….
On Thursday night, the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry (KPDNKK) issued an apology on its official Facebook page regarding its full-page Chinese New Year advertisement which appeared in major newspapers, depicting a "barking rooster" instead of a dog. Pic by NSTP / courtesy of SAYS.COM
"Happy Chinese New Year for those who are celebrating and Happy Holidays to all Malaysians. Gong Xi Fa Cai!" read the statement posted in Bahasa Malaysia.
However, no explanation was offered as to how the ministry managed to confuse a rooster with a dog. While the wrong zodiac animal was printed, the advertisement carried the right message.
The message in the ad read: "We welcome a prosperous Year of the Dog. We wholeheartedly wish people from all walks of life a happy lunar new year."
Meanwhile, the ministry also posted a digital festive greeting on its Facebook page – without the image of a dog. – SAYS.COM
