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flag history

Malaysia Flag: Design, Meaning and History of the Jalur Gemilang

Malaysia’s flag, the Jalur Gemilang, has 14 red and white stripes, a blue canton, and a yellow crescent and star. Learn its official meanings and history.

By ThatPainter Team 2 min read
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Malaysia’s national flag is called the Jalur Gemilang. It has 14 equal-width red and white horizontal stripes, a blue canton, and a yellow crescent and 14-point star. The stripes represent Malaysia’s 13 states and the Federal government, according to the Malaysian government’s official portal.

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What does the Malaysia flag look like?

The flag has 14 equal-width horizontal stripes, with red at the top and white at the bottom. In the upper-left corner, a blue canton contains a yellow crescent and a 14-point star. The current design grew from the flag created for the Federation of Malaya and was expanded when Malaysia was formed.

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When checking a flag for display, look for that combination of red and white stripes, blue canton, and yellow crescent and star. The government’s official description of the flag provides the design details.

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What do the 14 stripes and colors mean?

Malaysia’s official portal says the 14 stripes represent the 13 states and the Federal government. It assigns these meanings to the flag’s colors:

  • Red: bravery.
  • White: purity.
  • Yellow: the royal color associated with the Malay rulers.
  • Blue: unity through peace and obedience among Malaysians.

These are the interpretations given by the Malaysian government; color symbolism can vary across flags and contexts.

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How did the Jalur Gemilang develop?

From a winning design to the Federation of Malaya flag

The Malaysian National Security Council’s history says a design competition was held for the coming Federation of Malaya. Mohamed bin Hamzah, an architect with the Johor Public Works Department, won. The Council records that 373 people took part in the competition. The design was amended, including a change from a white to a yellow crescent and star to reflect the royal color.

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According to the Council, King George VI approved the design on 19 May 1950, and it was first raised at the Selangor Sultan’s palace on 26 May 1950. The Federation of Malaya flag was raised at independence on 31 August 1957.

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The 1963 change and the name Jalur Gemilang

In 1963, three stripes were added as Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore entered the Federation of Malaysia, bringing the total to 14. Singapore later left the federation. On the night of 31 August 1997, during the 40th anniversary of independence, the flag was given the name Jalur Gemilang, meaning “Stripes of Glory.”

Official accounts differ on some details of the competition and approval process. For example, the National Security Council’s 2020 account says the competition began on 29 November 1949, while the Department of Information Malaysia’s English pamphlet describes a competition in May 1948. The broad sequence—from the Federation of Malaya design to the flag used by Malaysia today—is consistent across these accounts. Read the Council’s history of the Jalur Gemilang and the Department of Information Malaysia’s English pamphlet for their respective accounts.

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What should I check before displaying a Malaysia flag?

The Department of Information Malaysia’s 2020 pamphlet says worn or torn flags should not be raised. It also discusses display priority; consult the pamphlet for its specific guidance. This is practical guidance from the department, not a statement here about legal requirements.

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