Penerbitan Bagus Sdn Bhd has apologised over the accidental printing of a same sex couple in its History workbook for Standard Four pupils under the topic 'Keluarga Harmoni' (harmonious family).

The image sparked an outrage after it was circulated in the social media.

According to a post on the publisher's Facebook page, all copies of the workbook would be re-called and re-printed as soon as possible.

"Penerbitan Bagus would reprint all the books, calling it 'new edition' as soon as possible because there was an accidental mistake in the initial printing of the books.

"We apologise for this error," stated the publishing firm.

Yesterday, Penerbitan Bagus announced that those who purchased the books, whether teachers, parents or students, can directly exchange them at their school bookstores or the nearest bookstore when new stock is delivered.

According to a Sinar Harian report today, a representative of the company said the error was technical and not done on purpose.

“We did not do this on purpose. It was a computer setting error which had accidentally printed out pictures of the two men,” she is quoted as saying.

However, she also said that those who have purchased the books can return it without a receipt, but refused to comment on the number sold.

Almost every primary school in West Malaysia uses this workbook, she added.