Malaysia Flag

Malaysia's flag — Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory) — has 14 alternating red and white horizontal stripes representing the 13 states and the federal territories. A blue canton in the upper hoist holds a yellow crescent and a 14-pointed star (Bintang Persekutuan).

The crescent represents Islam as the national religion. The yellow reflects the colour of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Malaysian monarch). The 14-pointed star represents the unity of the 13 states and federal government.

The design is closely related to the United States flag in its stripe layout — both were influenced by the same colonial-era flag tradition. Malaysia's flag was first hoisted on 31 August 1957 at independence from Britain.

The current 14-stripe version was adopted in 1963 when Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore joined the federation (Singapore left in 1965, but the stripes remained 14). The flag was named Jalur Gemilang by Prime Minister Mahathir in 1997.