The flag of the Federal Territories of Malaysia consists of three horizontal bars of yellow, blue, and red, with the coat of arms of Malaysia in the middle. It was officially adopted on 23 May 2006.
 | |
| Use | Civil and state flag    |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 1:2 |
| Adopted | 23 May 2006 |
| Design | Three horizontal bars of yellow, blue, and red, with the coat of arms of Malaysia in the middle. |
History
edit
Prior to the adoption of the flag, the three directly governed territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan had utilised the flag of Kuala Lumpur to represent the Federal Territories as a collective unit, which was deemed inappropriate by Minister of Federal Territories, Zulhasnan Rafique as it did not reflect that there were three different Federal Territories.[1] The Cabinet of Malaysia decided to adopt an official flag representing them collectively.[2] The government had already sought the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sirajuddin of Perlis on 12 May 2005 a year prior to the act.[3]
On 1 March 2006, a meeting chaired by Zulhasnan Rafique was held. Rafique chose a proposed flag that designed by team from the Universiti Teknologi MARA, his choice was then approved by the cabinet on 26 April 2006.[4]
The flag of the Federal Territories was first unveiled by the minister on 23 May 2006 and launched by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on 20 August 2006.[1][2] A series of performances by celebrities and schools were planned to be held at Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur to commemorate the launch.[1] Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak justified the new flag in a speech proclaiming the "common direction" of the three Federal Territories.[1] The flag of the Federal Territories was to be used only when representing them collectively; otherwise, their individual flags remained in force.[2]
The government has since encouraged residents of the three Federal Territories to fly the flag on 1 February to commemorate Federal Territory Day.[5][6][7]
Symbolism
editThe flag has three colours: yellow to represent respect, sovereignty and honour, red for strength and blue for unity, sincerity and harmony. The three stars below the coat of arms of Malaysia stand for the three territories, supporting their mission to become important administrative and business centres.[8]
Flags of the Federal Territories
edit| Flag | Adoption Date | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
14 May 1990[9] | Flag of Kuala Lumpur | Three equal bands of white, blue and white with three equal horizontal stripes of red on both white bands. There is a yellow crescent and yellow fourteen-pointed stars on the left within the blue band. Before 2006, this flag was used to represent the entire Federal Territories. |
 |
31 August 1992[10] | Flag of Labuan | Three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue, there is a yellow crescent and yellow fourteen-pointed stars in the white band. |
 |
1 February 2001 | Flag of Putrajaya | Three vertical bands of blue, yellow (double width), and blue with the Malaysian coat of arms in the yellow band. |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "New anthem and flag for FT launched". The Star. 21 August 2006. Archived from the original on 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ a b c "Official flag for all three FTs unveiled". The Star. 24 May 2006. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ Low, Christina (18 August 2006). "Song and flag to represent Federal Territories". The Star. Archived from the original on 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ "Bendera Negeri dan Wilayah (pp. 79)". Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "Fly FT Day flag with pride". The Star. 29 January 2015. Archived from the original on 8 August 2015. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ Nair, Vijenthi (30 January 2021). "Putrajaya residents put up flags for FT Day". The Star. Archived from the original on 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ Wahab, Farid (1 February 2021). "Celebration through action". The Star. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ "Flag & Song". Ministry of Federal Territories. Archived from the original on 4 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ "Perayaan 100 Tahun Kuala Lumpur Menjadi Penguasa Tempatan".
- ^ Labuan Museum Source: During the 1992 Independence Day celebration on the island, the flag was raised for the first time.