Malaysia Flag

The flag of Malaysia has fourteen red and white stripes that alternate horizontally going down the flag starting with red. In the upper left hand corner sits a blue rectangle. Inside the rectangle are a yellow crescent moon, and a fourteen point star.

The fourteen stripes and the fourteen points on the star symbolize the thirteen member states of the Malaysian Federation, and the Federal District of Kuala Lumpur. These stripes also symbolize each state’s equal rights in the Federation of the states as well as in the Federal government. The crescent and the star symbolize images of Islam. Yellow is traditionally used as a color of royal meaning. The blue symbolizes unity among Malaysian people. The blue also comes from the Union Jack, and symbolizes Malaysia’s link to Britain. This is what the Malaysian flag represents.

The Malaysian flag was enacted on September 16, 1963. The original design for the Malaysia flag was conceptualized in 1950 under the Federation of Malaya, a British protectorate. Malaya would become Malaysia on August 31, 1957, when it gained independence. In September 1963, Malaysia, Singapore, North Borneo, and Sarawak formed the Federation of Malaysia. The original flag had eleven stripes, but added three more for the adding of the new states. Singapore is still represented even though it is no longer part of the federation. The last time the flag was modified was in 1967. The national flag of Malaysia is used both nationally and civilly by its citizens. These are facts about the Malaysia flag.

Britain captured Malacca in 1795. In 1867, the Straits Settlement of Penang, Malacca, and Singapore became British colonies. In 1888, Sabah and Sarawak became British Protectorates. The states Perak, Selangor, Pahang, and Negeri Sembilan federated in 1896. In 1909, Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, and Teregganu created the Unfederated Malay States. Japan captured Malaysia during World War II. In 1948 Britain enlarged the Federation of Malaya by adding the Unfederated States, Malacca, and Penang. Communists started guerilla warfare called the Malayan Emergency, and many Chinese were forced to relocate. In 1957 Malaya gained independence. In 1963 Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak joined the Federation. In 1965 Singapore seceded from the Federation. In 1981, Mahathir Muhammad was elected president.

Photos of Malaysian flag can be found on several different websites through out the internet.