Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory)

"My nation, My land, My Malaysia"

The Malaysian flag, also known as the Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory) is a symbol of the nation’s stateliness and sovereignty. A flag is defined as a piece of cloth or similar material, typically oblong or square, attachable by one edge to a pole or rope and used as the symbol or emblem of a country or institution, or as a decoration during public festivities. Leadership, honour, respect, citizenship and freedom are some of the ideals embodied in the nation’s flag. Flying the Jalur Gemilang inculcates a sense of pride in Malaysians.

The Malaysian flag displays 14 horizontal red and white stripes of the same width that begins with a red band at the top and ends with a white band at the bottom. The red and white bands indicate the union of 13 states and the Federal Territories. They include Kedah, Pahang, Kelantan, Johor, Perak, Perlis, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Terengganu, Sarawak, Penang, Sabah, Melaka and the Federal Territory (Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya).

The red colour on the stripes symbolises might and courage and white symbolises purity. The yellow colour on the crescent and the star is a royal colour that symbolises the Malay rulers. The three colours, red, white and blue together symbolise the friendship between the Federation of Malaya and the United Kingdom and the alliance between Malaya and the Commonwealth states. The crescent symbolizes Islam, the official religion of Malaysia. The 14 points of the star signify the unity of the 13 states with the Federal government.