Today marks another milestone for Malaysia. That’s 51 years of independence!
I was bored and I started playing some patriotic songs on my piano (as we used to in Oldham Hall during our JC days). One of my very favourites, Sejahtera Malaysia. It’s the one playing in the background right now. Face it. It’s National Day. So, I’m going to annoy you with looping music which you cannot turn off till you close my window. HAHA!
I recorded this song on my Clavinova CVP-109. Played with strings, piano, and big band brass voices and US Ballad style. Was too lazy to compose a proper intro and ending so I just used the auto accompaniment thingy. I shall get down to it someday. Someday………. I’ve never recorded anything properly in my life before, so excuse the mess… 
Listen/Download: Sejahtera Malaysia
Anyway, here’s something for you to read. The history behind our flag.
Malaysia, My Inspiration: The Jalur Gemilang
Written by Adline A. Ghani for Essenze magazine, 2nd Quarter 2007 issue (pp. 82, 83 & 84). Photos by Sam Lim Kien Hock.
There is no denying that a country’s flag is of deep significance to its people. It is more than just an emblem of national identity; it gives us all a sense of belonging. If you’re a Malaysian, or have lived in Malaysia for a good number of years, the Jalur Gemilang must be as familiar to you as the back of your own hand. Or is it? Do you know who designed the flag and when? Can you recall when we started calling it the Jalur Gemilang? Can you tell your children what that name means or what the flag represents? If you’re a little rusty, like me, please read on.
The story of the Jalur Gemilang begins in 1947, when a design competition was held in search of the Malayan flag. The winning design was selected by members of the general public who sent in their votes through mail. Its designer, Mohamed Hamzah, was a 29-year-old architect working for the Public Works Department (JKR) in Johor Bahru. He had submitted two designs; the first was a green flag with a blue keris in the middle, surrounded by 15 white stars. The second was similar to the current flag but had a five-pointed star. The latter was chosen as one of the three finalists out of 373 entries. After Mohamed Hamzah had won the competition, the star was changed to an 11-pointed one to represent all the Malayan states.
The Malayan flag design was further modified following the formation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963. Three stripes were added to reflect and honour the new states in the federation – Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore. Although Singapore separated from the federation two years later, the design remained unchanged. Eventually, the additional stripe came to represent Kuala Lumpur as a federal territory (1 February 1972) and later, the federal government in general following the inclusion of Labuan (1984) and Putrajaya (2001) as federal territories. Although the look of the flag hasn’t changed very much since it was first conceived, what it represents has certainly evolved over time.
The Malaysian flag as we know it contains 14 horizontal stripes, which alternate between red and white. They represent the 13 Malaysian states as well as the Federal Government; the equal width of these stripes represents equality amongst them. The blue rectangle represents the unity of the Malaysian people, as well as vigilance, truth, loyalty, perseverance and justice. The crescent moon it contains symbolises Islam and the 14-pointed star known as the Bintang Persekutuan or ‘Federal Star’ represents the unity of the 13 states and the Federal Government. Yellow, the official colour of royalty, symbolises the sovereignty of the Malay rulers, while white represents purity, peace and honesty. Red depicts bravery, strength and valour.
After four decades without an official name, Malaysians were invited to name their flag in 1997. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad, Malaysia’s fourth Prime Minister chose the name Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory), which was promulgated at the stroke of midnight on 31 August 1997 at Dataran Merdeka, during the nation’s 40th Merdeka celebration. The term jalur, meaning ‘stripe’, embodies the nation’s path to glory as personified by Malaysians from Perlis to Sabah. Gemilang, which means ‘luminous’ and ‘victorious’, represents the magnificent spirit of Malaysia as a nation and of Malaysians as a whole in facing all aspects of life whether at home or abroad. The Jalur Gemilang anthem was introduced in the year 2000. The song was written by renowned Malaysian composer Suhaimi Mohd Zain, affectionately known as ‘Pak Ngah’ and the lyrics were written by Siso Kopratasa.
Each year, we are encouraged to fly the Malaysian flag. During the month of Merdeka, it is common to see the flag outside homes, office buildings and shops, as well as on cars, lorries and even baby buggies. It is important, however, to remember that the flag must be treated with respect. The correct way to display it outside a home is by raising and pointing it towards the road. Also, when displaying the Jalur Gemilang within a group of flags, it must be placed in the centre and higher than the rest. This year, let us take our appreciation for Malaysia and its flag even further. Use your imagination, unleash your inner shutterbug and capture images of the Jalur Gemilang for your family album. As photographer, Mr Sam Lim has proven, the Malaysian flag makes a fantastic subject. You may just surprise yourself with the results!
Reference:
Bendera Kita (Our flag). Ministry of Information Malaysia, 1997.The photographer:
Sam Lim Kien Hock is an award-winning photographer based in Pulau Pinang. Please visit his website to see more of his spectacular work Sam Lim’s Deviant Art Gallery.
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