Fly And Display The ‘Jalur Gemilang’ Correctly This National Day

Certain conditions must be met when it comes to flying the Malaysian flag, the Jalur Gemilang.

Credit: Malay Mail & Ihsan Adityawarman/ Pexels

Subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest stories and updates.

Malaysians will be celebrating the 65^th National Day on 31 August 2022. To add to the festivities, the public is encouraged to display the Malaysian flag proudly around their homes or business premises as a show of patriotism.

Since September is also another patriotic day (in case you forget, Malaysia Day is on 16 September), it’s best if we get our flag positions right the first time round!

The do’s and don’ts of displaying the Jalur Gemilang

If you’re clueless about the right way to display our Malaysian flag, Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia (JAPEN) released a simple infographic guide to help.

What’s acceptable?

The Jalur Gemilang must only be displayed horizontally. The same applies if it’s arranged in the same flagline row.
The flag must always start with a red line and end with a white line. The same goes if it’s hung vertically as a banner.
For banners, the Jalur Gemilang must have a triangular ‘tail end’ that is 1.8 times the length of the banner.
Only the primary colours and motifs of the Jalur Gemilang such as red, blue, white and yellow colours can be used.

What’s unacceptable?

The Jalur Gemilang cannot be hung vertically in a flagline.
The flag can’t be hung backwards.
The Jalur Gemilang cannot be displayed in triangular shapes in a flagline.
The flag can’t be used as a table cloth, curtains, umbrellas, face masks or clothes.
The flag can’t be used to wrap around objects such as bottles, vases, tins, poles and more.
It’s prohibited to alter the flag to be used to advertise the Merdeka month or as logos.
The image of the flag cannot be covered by texts in infographics.
Of course, the flag shouldn’t be torn or tattered in any way.

Those who disobey the rules or degrade the national flag can be prosecuted under Sections 3 and 5 of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use)(Act 414).

Upon conviction, it carries a maximum punishment of RM20,000 in fines and three years in jail.

Those caught disobeying the law can also be charged under Section 8 of the National Emblem (Control of Display) Act 1949 (Act 193) and the Sedition Act 1948 (Act 15) for the same offence.

Share your thoughts with us via TRP’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.