Flag of Malaysia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The flag of Malaysia, or known as the Jalur Gemilang ("Stripes of Glory") comprises a field of 14 alternating red and white stripes and a blue canton bearing a crescent and a 14-point star (called Bintang Persekutuan or Federal Star). The 14 stripes, as well as the 14 points of the star, represent the original fourteen states of Malaysia. After the expulsion of Singapore, the 14th point and stripe are understood as the federal government. The crescent and the star represents Islam, the official religion. The blue canton symbolizes the unity of the Malaysian people, the yellow of the crescent and the star is the royal colour, representing the rulers of the states, red symbolises courage and white symbolises purity.

The flag of Malaysia is inspired by the flag of the United States, and displays the star and crescent, a traditional symbol of Islam. The Jalur Gemilang and the Stars and Stripes both share a field of alternating red and white stripes and a blue canton. (The British East India Company flag, too, had a similar design and might be the origin of this style of flag.)^[1]

The Federal Star, which is similar in concept of Australia's Commonwealth Star, is also used on the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) flag, the Royal Malaysian Air Force roundel, and the United Malayan Banking Association (UMBC) logo.

Contents 1 Maritime flags 2 Other ensigns 3 History 3.1 Selection 3.2 The Designer 3.3 Modifications 4 Mark of Respect 5 Flag anthem 5.1 Original songs 5.2 English translations 6 References 7 See also

[edit] Maritime flags

• Civilian vessels use as a civil ensign a red flag with the Jalur Gemilang in a blue-fimbriated canton.
• Government vessels use the Jalur Gemilang as the state ensign.
• Ships of the Royal Malaysian Navy use as a naval ensign a white flag with the Jalur Gemilang in a red-fimbriated canton and an emblem consisting of an anchor and two crossed traditional kris daggers in the fly.

[edit] Other ensigns

• Malaysian Army: red flag with the Jalur Gemilang in the canton and the army emblem in the fly.
• Royal Malaysian Air Force: a pale blue flag with the Jalur Gemilang in the canton and a federal star in the fly.
• Malaysian Coast Guard: a dark blue ensign with the Jalur Gemilang in the canton.

[edit] History

The flag of Malaysia, which was first raised on September 16, 1963, originated from the flag of the Federation of Malaya.

After the British started to collectively administer the eleven states of Malaya as a single entity, the idea of having a national flag was mooted. Prior to that, each state in Malaya had its own flag, many of which are unchanged in design to this very day.

[edit] Selection

When the Federation of Malaya replaced the short lived Malayan Union, the federation government through the Federal Legislative Council called for a design contest for a new flag. Three flags were forwarded to the public. The first flag had 11 white stars with two Malay kris daggers in the middle against a blue backdrop. The second flag "concentric circle of 11 stars around crossed keris on a blue field." The third "had 11 alternate red and white stripes and a yellow crescent and a five-pointed star on a blue background in the top left hand corner." The third design - by Mohamad Hamzah of the Public Works Department - was chosen as the winner through a public poll held by the Malay Mail. ^[2]Since Malaya was fighting the communists during the Malayan Emergency, the five-pointed star had the uncanny resemblance with the communists' symbols. Therefore, the star was modified to accommodate six more points.

The Malayan flag was approved by King George VI on 19 May 1950 and was first raised in front of Istana Selangor on 26 May 1950. On 31 August 1957, it was raised upon independence at Merdeka Square in place of the British Union Flag.

[edit] The Designer

The Malayan flag was designed by Mohamed Hamzah, a 29-year-old architect working for the Public Works Department (JKR) in Johor Bahru, Johor. He entered the Malayan flag design competition in 1947 with two designs which he completed within two weeks. The first design was a green flag with blue kris in the middle, surrounded by 15 white stars. The second design, which was among the three finalists, was similar to the current flag but with a five-pointed star. The competition attracted 373 entries and voting was made by the general public via post. Malayan senior statesman Dato' Onn Jaafar met with Mohamed Hamzah after he won the competition and suggested that the star be changed to an 11-pointed one to represent all the Malayan states.

Mohamed Hamzah died just short of his 75th birthday on 13 February 1993 in Jalan Stulang Baru, Kampung Melayu Majidee, Johor.

[edit] Modifications

Following the formation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963, the design of the Malayan flag was modified to reflect and honour the new states in the federation.

The new flag has three additional stripes and the star was given 14 points to reflect the federation of the original 11 states in Malaya plus Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore. Even after Singapore broke away from the federation in 1965, the design remained the same. When Kuala Lumpur became a federal territory on February 1, 1972, the additional stripe and the point of the star came to represent the federal territory. Although two other federal territories, Labuan and Putrajaya were created in 1984 and 2001 respectively, the design of the flag remained the same.

In 1997, when Malaysians were invited to name the flag, then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohammad picked the name Jalur Gemilang to project the country's onward drive for continuous growth and success.

[edit] Mark of Respect

During the National Day celebrations, everyone is encouraged to fly the Jalur Gemilang at their homes, office buildings, shops and corporate premises.

• If the flag is fixed at home, it is to be raised pointing towards the road.
• If the flag is put in a group of flags with state and private company flags, the Malaysian flag must be raised in between two flags and its pole placed higher than the rest.

[edit] Flag anthem

The Jalur Gemilang flag anthem was introduced on 2000. The songs and lyrics was written by Pak Ngah.

[edit] Original songs

Merah membara semangat waja

Putihmu bersih budi pekerti

Kuning berdaulat payung negara

Biru perpaduan kami semua

Puncak dunia telah kau tawan

Lautan luas telah kau redah

Membawa semangat jiwa MERDEKA

Semangat jaya kami warganya

Empat belas melintang jalurnya

Semua negeri dalam Malaysia

Satu suara satu semangat

Itu sumpah warga berdaulat

Jalur Gemilang dibawah naunganmu

Jalur Gemilang kami semua bersatu

Perpaduan kedaulatan

Amalan murni rakyat Malaysia

Jalur Gemilang megah kami terasa

Jalur Gemilang kibarkanlah wawasan

Merah, putih, biru, kuning

Jalur semangat kami semua

(2x)

Berkibarlah, Berkibarlah, Berkibarlah

JALUR GEMILANG!

[edit] English translations

(please translate it to English)

[edit] References

1. ^ The STRIPED FLAG of the EAST INDIA COMPANY, and its CONNECTION with the AMERICAN "STARS and STRIPES" (Charles Fawcett, The Mariners Mirror, October 1932) at Flags of the World
2. ^ Sonia Ramachandran. Golden Merdeka Memories: National flag chosen by people in one of country's first public polls. New Straits Times. August 18, 2006.

[edit] See also

• List of patriotic songs
• Emblem of Malaysia
• National flags inspired by the flag of Turkey
• Gallery of flags with crescents

National flags	National coats of arms
Flags of sovereign states	Coats of arms of sovereign states
Flags of dependent territories	Coats of arms of dependent territories
Flags of unrecognized states	Coats of arms of unrecognized states
Flags of micronations	Coats of arms of micronations
Flags of formerly independent states