Flag of Malaysia
countryThe flag of Malaysia was adopted on September 16, 1963 to a design by Mohamed Hamzah. Fourteen stripes with a blue canton bearing a crescent and star. It uses 4 colours: red, white, blue and yellow. The official proportions are 1:2.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Country | Malaysia |
| Official Country Name | Malaysia |
| Capital | Kuala Lumpur |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | South-Eastern Asia |
| ISO Country Code | MY / MYS |
| Internet Domain | .my |
| Calling Code | +60 |
| Currency | Malaysian ringgit (MYR) |
| National Language(s) | English, Malay |
| Demonym | Malaysian |
| Area | 330,803 km² |
| Population | 35 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | September 16, 1963 |
| First Used | 1950 |
| Current Version Adopted | September 16, 1963 |
| Flag Proportion | 1:2 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | Red, White, Blue, Yellow |
| Designer | Mohamed Hamzah |
| Design Type | Fourteen stripes with a blue canton bearing a crescent and star |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Malaysia |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #CC0001 | 204, 0, 1 | 0, 100, 100, 20 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Blue | #010066 | 1, 0, 102 | 99, 100, 0, 60 | |
| Yellow | #FFCC00 | 255, 204, 0 | 0, 20, 100, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents courage |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents purity |
| Blue colour | Represents the unity of the people |
| Yellow colour | Represents the royal colour of the Malay rulers |
| Fourteen stripes and fourteen-pointed star | The thirteen states and the federal government |
| Crescent | Islam, the state religion |
| Jalur Gemilang | “Stripes of Glory”, the flag’s name since 1997 |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1950 | The design was first used |
| 1963-09-16 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 1:2 |
|---|---|
| Width | 1 units (hoist) |
| Length | 2 units (fly) |
Malaysia Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Malaysia
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 63 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | September 16, 1963 |
| Oldest Version | 1950 |
| Flag Nickname | Jalur Gemilang (stripes of glory) |
| Designer | Mohamed Hamzah |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Georgia, Greece, Hawaii |
| Unique Feature | Fourteen stripes with a blue canton bearing a crescent and star |
Other stripes with a canton flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Malaysia
- The fourteen stripes and the fourteen points of the star represent the thirteen states and the federal territories.
- The design is openly modelled on the United States flag, adopted in 1950 while the country was still a British colony.
- The flag is known as the Jalur Gemilang — stripes of glory — a name given to it in 1997.
- The flag of Malaysia was officially adopted on September 16, 1963. It was designed by Mohamed Hamzah.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1950, 13 years before it was formally made the flag of Malaysia.
- The flag in its present form is 63 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Fourteen stripes with a blue canton bearing a crescent and star.
- The flag is known as Jalur Gemilang (stripes of glory), a name used far more often than the formal "flag of Malaysia".
- The official proportions are 1:2. It shares that ratio with 54 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: red, white, blue and yellow.
- The red on the flag stands for courage.
- The white on the flag stands for purity.
- The blue on the flag stands for the unity of the people.
- Fourteen stripes and fourteen-pointed star: The thirteen states and the federal government.
- Crescent: Islam, the state religion.
- Jalur Gemilang: “Stripes of Glory”, the flag’s name since 1997.
- The design belongs to the "Stripes with a canton" family, shared with 8 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Georgia, Greece and Hawaii.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Malaysia
When was the flag of Malaysia adopted?
The flag of Malaysia was officially adopted on September 16, 1963, though the design had already been in use since 1950.
What do the colours of the flag of Malaysia mean?
Red for courage, white for purity, blue for the unity of the people and yellow for the royal colour of the Malay rulers.
When did Malaysia gain independence?
Malaysia became independent on 31 August 1957 from the United Kingdom. Malaya became independent in 1957; the federation of Malaysia was formed on 16 September 1963.
What is the national sport of Malaysia?
Sepak takraw and silat are the traditional national sports; badminton is the one Malaysia is best known for.
What do the symbols on the flag of Malaysia represent?
Fourteen stripes and fourteen-pointed star — The thirteen states and the federal government. Crescent — Islam, the state religion. Jalur Gemilang — “Stripes of Glory”, the flag’s name since 1997.
Who designed the flag of Malaysia?
The flag was designed by Mohamed Hamzah.
What are the proportions of the flag of Malaysia?
The official ratio is 1:2, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 54 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Malaysia?
The national anthem is "Negaraku".
When is the national day of Malaysia?
It falls on 31 August, Hari Merdeka, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Malaysia?
The national animal is the Malayan tiger.