Main image via Unsplash
On 16 September 1963, the Malaysian flag was modified and raised again, in line with the inclusion of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore into the Federation of Malaya. Although Singapore left Malaysia in 1965, it still retained its features.
Before that, the original flag was first raised on 26 May 1950, and it only had 11 stripes and an 11-point star then.
In 1997, the Malaysian flag was renamed the Jalur Gemilang, which directly translates to the Stripes of Glory.
The 14 red and white stripes represent the 13 member states and the Federal Territory.
The 14 point star, also known as the Bintang Persekutuan, or the Federal Star, represents the unity between the country’s 13 states and the Federal Territory.
The crescent moon, represents the country’s majority religion, Islam.
The blue describes the unity of the Malaysian people, while yellow is the royal colours.
In 1948, a national flag designing competition was held by the Malay Mail. The winner of the competition was Mohamed Hamzah, an architect at the Public Works Department.
Now you know the story and the meaning behind our Jalur Gemilang.
Stay safe, and from all of us at LITE, Happy Malaysia Day!