Malaysian Flag Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory)
The Malaysia flag, in Malay, is known as “Jalur Gemilang,” the Stripes of Glory.
It is one of the country’s most recognizable symbols, symbolizing national pride, unity, and identity for Malaysians worldwide.
The flag’s design has a rich history; every element holds significant meaning.
The Malaysian Flag comprises 14 alternating red and white stripes along the fly, a blue canton bearing a yellow crescent, and a 14-point star.
We know the star as the Bintang Persekutuan (Federal Star).
Malaysian Flag – Jalur Gemilang Design
Name: Jalur Gemilang (‘Stripes of Glory’)
Use: National Flag
Proportion: 1:2
Adopted on: May 26, 1950, the original 11-point star and 11 stripes
Adopted on: September 16, 1963, with the current 14-point star and 14 alternating stripes.
Design: Fourteen horizontal alternating red and white stripes.; a yellow crescent, and a fourteen-point star on a blue field in the canton.
Designed by: Mohamed Hamzah
Meaning of the Malaysian Flag
The Flag of Malaysia features alternating Red and white horizontal stripes.
There are 14 stripes, each of equal width, designed to represent the federation of the member states and federal territories.
The Malaysian Flag also features a star with 14 points.
The design represents the unity between the federal territories and the 13 member states.
A crescent moon is positioned beside the star, representing the nation’s official religion of, Islam.
Colors of the Malaysian Flag
The Malaysian Flag features seven white stripes and seven alternating red horizontal stripes.
There is a blue canton that represents the unity of the Malaysian people.
The yellow crescent moon and yellow star are placed in the canton.
The crescent and star represent Islam, Malaysia’s state religion, and the nation’s majority Muslim population.
The star and crescent in yellow is the royal color of the Malay rulers.
The similarity of the Malaysian Flag to the US Flag
While many remarked that the Malaysian Flag resembles the American Flag, it is accidental.
The Malaysian Flag was modeled on the British East India Company flag.
However, its stripes and crescent, and moon shapes reflect specific aspects of Malaysian culture and society.
History of the Flag of Malaya
Flag ratio: 1:2. Flag of Malaya was in use from 1950 to 1963.
The Flag was first raised on September 16, 1963, and originated from the Flag of the Federation of Malaya.
Before creating the national Flag, each state in Malaya had its own Flag, many of which are unchanged in design.
The Flag’s design is based on two existing flags, the Majapahit and the Johor flag.
The stripes from the Flag of Majapahit were incorporated with the canton containing the crescent and star from the Flag of Johor.
The designer of the Malayan Flag
In 1947, 29-year-old architect Mohamed Hamzah from Public Works Department Johor Bahru, Johor, entered the Malayan flag design competition.
He submitted two designs that he completed within two weeks.
The first design was a green flag with a blue kris in the middle, surrounded by 15 white stars.
Among the three finalists, the second design was like the current Flag but with a five-pointed star.
The design borrowed significant elements from the Flag of the East India Company, notably the red and white stripes.
The competition attracted 373 entries, and the public made voting via post.
After winning the competition, Malayan senior statesman Dato’ Onn Jaafar met with Mohamed Hamzah and suggested that the star be changed to an 11-pointed one to represent all the Malayan states.
On May 26, 1950, the Malayan flag was adopted with the original 11-point star and 11 stripes.
Modifications of the Malaysian Flag
Following the formation of Malaysia on September 16, 1963, we changed the design of the Malayan Flag to reflect and honor the new states in the federation.
They added three additional stripes to the existing Flag.
They gave the star 14 points to reflect the federation of the original 11 states in Malaya with Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore.
The design remained the same even after Singapore’s expulsion from the federation two years later.
When Kuala Lumpur was designated a Federal Territory on February 1, 1974, they appropriated the additional stripe and the point in the star to represent this recent addition to the federation.
Eventually, with two other federal territories, Labuan in 1984 and Putrajaya in 2001, the fourteenth stripe and point in the star came to be associated with the federal government.
In 1997, when Malaysians were invited to name the Flag, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad picked Jalur Gemilang to protect the country’s onward drive toward continuous growth and success.
The Malaysian flag was adopted on: September 16, 1963, with a current 14-point star and 14 alternating stripes.
Mark of respect for the Malaysian Flag
During the National Day celebrations, the government encouraged Malaysians to fly the Jalur Gemilang at their homes, office buildings, shops, and corporate premises.
If the Flag is put in a group of flags with state and private company flags, the Malaysian flag must be raised between two flags and its pole placed higher than the rest.
Malaysian Flag Anthem
The Malaysian flag anthem was written as the dedication and pride of the Malaysian national Flag.
The original anthem Benderaku was written by Malaysian songwriter Tony Fonseka.
In 1997, after the Malaysian Flag was given the name Jalur Gemilang, they updated the flag anthem to reflect this change, introducing a new flag anthem.
The arrangements were by Malaysian songwriter Pak Ngah and the lyrics were by Malaysian songwriter Siso Kopratasa.
We perform the Malaysian flag anthem on Hari Merdeka, the nation’s independence day, on August 31 every year.
The Malaysian Flag raised high and fluttered in the wind.
Benderaku by Tony Fonseka (Malay)
Benderaku yang gagah perkasa
Merah putih kuning biru warnanya
Berkibar megah penuh bercahaya
Pusaka kita rakyat Malaysia
Bendera Malaysia, oh benderaku
Kupertahankan sepenuh ragaku
Dikaulah lambang negara berpadu
Di bawah naungan Duli Tuanku
Berkibar terus oh benderaku
Kaukan kujunjung sepanjang waktu
Harumlah nama negara yang tercinta
Padamu tempat taat dan setia
Bendera Malaysia, bendera kita
Kemegahan rakyat kita semua
Berkibar berkibar di ruang angkasa
Dirgahayu bendera tercinta!
Benderaku by Tony Fonseka (English translation)
The mighty Flag of mine
Red, White, Yellow, and Blue are the colors
Flying high up in the skies
The legacy of all of us Malaysians
O my Flag, The Flag of Malaysia
I will defend it with all of my might
The Symbol of a unified nation
Under the patronage of His Royal Highness
Fly high o my Flag
I will raise it all the time
O shine up, my beloved nation
To you, I swear my full allegiance
The Flag of Malaysia, our Flag
The pride of all of us
Fly, fly high up in the skies
Long live our beloved Flag!
Jalur Gemilang by Tony Fonseka (Malay)
Jalur Gemilang yang gagah perkasa
Merah putih kuning biru warnanya
Berkibar megah penuh bercahaya
Pusaka kita rakyat Malaysia
Jalur Gemilang, oh benderaku
Kupertahankan sepenuh ragaku
Dikaulah lambang negara berpadu
Di bawah naungan Duli Tuanku
Berkibar terus oh benderaku
Kaukan kujunjung sepanjang waktu
Harumlah nama negara yang tercinta
Padamu tempat taat dan setia
Jalur Gemilang, bendera kita
Kemegahan rakyat kita semua
Berkibar berkibar di ruang angkasa
Dirgahayu bendera tercinta!
Jalur Gemilang by Tony Fonseka (English translation)
The Mighty Stripes of Glory
Red, White, Yellow, and Blue are the colors
Flying high up in the skies
The legacy of all of us Malaysians
O my Flag, The Stripes of Glory
I will defend it with all of my might
The Symbol of a unified nation
Under the patronage of His Royal Highness
Fly high o my Flag
I will raise it all the time
O shine up, my beloved nation
To you, I swear my full allegiance
The Stripes of Glory, our Flag
The pride of all of us
Fly, fly high up in the skies
Long live our beloved Flag!
Jalur Gemilang by Pak Ngah & Siso Kopratasa (Malay)
Merahmu bara semangat waja
Putihmu bersih budi pekerti
Kuning berdaulat payung negara
Biru perpaduan kami semua
Puncak dunia telah kautawan
Lautan luas telah kauredah
Membawa semangat jiwa Merdeka
Semarak jaya kami warganya
Empat belas melintang jalurnya
Semua negeri dalam Malaysia
Satu suara satu semangat
Itu sumpah warga berdaulat
Jalur Gemilang di bawah naunganmu
Jalur Gemilang kami semua bersatu
Perpaduan ketaatan
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!
Jalur Gemilang by Pak Ngah & Siso Kopratasa (English Translation)
Your Red represents steely will
Your White represents clean and kind character
Yellow of the Sovereign, the country’s protector
Blue for all of us in unity
You have reached the heights of the world
You have traveled the wide waters
Bearing the spirit of independence
We are members of its successful will
Fourteen stripes across
For each of the states of Malaysia
One voice, one spirit
So its sovereign citizens solemnly swear
Stripes of Glory, beneath your care
Stripes of Glory, we unite
Unity and loyalty
Are the noble values of the Malaysian people
Stripes of Glory, how proud we feel
Stripes of Glory, proclaim our vision
Red, white, blue, yellow
Are the stripes of our resolve
(2x)
Flutter-on, flutter-on, flutter-on
Stripes of Glory!
In conclusion, the Malaysian flag symbolizes national pride, unity, and identity for Malaysians.
It represents the country’s diverse culture and rich history, and it is a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices made by the people to gain independence.
The flag’s design is simple yet meaningful, and every element holds significant symbolism.
The Malaysian flag is a source of inspiration for all Malaysians and is a constant reminder of the country’s motto, “Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu,” which means “Unity Is Strength.”
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