Malaysia

Malaysia
Adopted	September 16, 1963
Designed by	Mohamed Hamzah
Proportions	1:2

The flag of Malaysia consists of fourteen equal horizontal stripes alternating red and white, with a blue canton the height of eight stripes containing a charge of a golden fourteen-pointed star and a crescent.

Symbolism

The fourteen red and white stripes represent all thirteen states of Malaysia and the Federal Territories. The blue canton represents the nation and its unity, while the crescent represents the religion of Islam, and the fourteen-pointed star symbolises the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia) as the supreme head of the federation which consists of thirteen states and three Federal Territories.

The banner form of the flag of Malaysia.

The crescent being larger than the star symbolises the position of the religion of Islam as the religion of the federation, and that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the supreme head of the federation is still subjected to the religion of Islam, as shown in the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.

Historical flags

In 1963, three former British colonies, North Borneo (known today as Sabah), Sarawak, and Singapore (which would later be kicked out), joined the federation, forming the Federation of Malaysia which we know today. With the addition of these states, the flag of Malaysia was amended to add three additional stripes and three more points to the star, representing the three new states. After Singapore's departure from the country on the 9th of August 1965, the fourteenth stripe and point in the star remained untouched, until 1st of February 1974 when the meaning was changed to represent the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, and later to also represent the Federal Territories of Labuan and Putrajaya.

On the 31st of August 1997 in conjunction with the 40th national day, the flag was officially given a name, "Jalur Gemilang", chosen by the 4th Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Malaya
(1950-1963)

Malaysia
(1963-present)

Proposed flags

The first proposed flag of Malaya.

The second proposed flag of Malaya.

The third proposed flag of Malaya.

The winning flag was then given a few amendments to its colour and star, swapping the colours red and blue, and changing the five-pointed star to an eleven pointed star, signifying the eleven states of the Federation of Malaya. The flag was then officiated and first raised in front of the Sultan of Selangor's palace on the 26th of May 1950. It was first raised as the flag of the Federation of Malaya on the 31st of August 1957, the day of the formation of the country, replacing the British Union flag at Merdeka Square.

Royal Standards

The royal standard of the Yang-di Pertuan Agong (The King) is the Jata Negara (The coat of arms of Malaysia enwreathed by two sheaves of paddy on a yellow field. The yellow symbolizes the supremacy and the royalty of the country leader.

The Royal Standard of the Raja Permaisuri Agong.

The Royal Standard of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The royal standard of the Raja Permaisuri Agong (The Queen) is basically the same as the standard as the Yang-di Pertuan Agong, but the yellow field is replaced by a green field.

The Royal Standard of the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The royal standard of the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong is a bicolour of yellow and blue with the Jata Negara in the center.

Other Flags

Malaysian Civil Ensign.

Malaysian Government Ensign.

Trivia

The flag of the Majapahit Empire.

The flag of Johor.

• Despite the common claims and misunderstanding, the flag of Malaysia was not based on the flag of the United States, but was actually based on the flags of the former Majapahit Empire and the flag of Johor, a state in Malaysia where the flag designer came from.

References