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Malaysia

Asia

Quick Facts

Capital

Kuala Lumpur

Population

33.0M

Area

329,847 km²

Density

100 /km²

Median age

30 yrs

Description

Adoption

26 May 1950 (original 11-stripe version)
16 September 1963 (current 14-stripe version, formation of Malaysia, 63 years).

Designed byMohamed Hamzah, an architect who won a public contest.

Design & Symbolism

Specs plus what each color and emblem means on this flag — tap an element to reveal its meaning.

Proportions

1:2

Shape

Rectangular

Colors

Red#CC0001 · Pantone 186 C

The 14 red and white stripes depict the equal status of the 13 states and the federal government.

Blue#010066 · Pantone 281 C

The blue canton depicts the unity of the Malaysian people.

White#FFFFFF

The white stripes, with the red, depict the member states of the federation.

Yellow#FFCC00 · Pantone 116 C

The yellow of the crescent and star is the royal colour of the sultans.

Symbols & elements

Crescent and fourteen-pointed star

The crescent marks Islam, the state religion. The Bintang Persekutuan, the federal star, has fourteen points for the thirteen states and the federal government, matching the fourteen stripes.

Construction details

Proportions 1:2. Fourteen horizontal stripes alternating red and white; in the blue canton, a yellow crescent and fourteen-point star (the 'Federal Star'). The crescent depicts Islam, the official religion.

Construction sheet

Etiquette & protocol

How the flag should be used and displayed with respect.

Specific rules — Malaysia

The flag is honoured on 31 August (Independence Day) and 16 September (Malaysia Day).
Hung vertically, the blue canton stays at the top, on the hoist side.

Common conventions