EVERY September, once the Merdeka bunting comes down and Malaysia Day has come and gone, plenty of people are left staring at a Jalur Gemilang that has seen better days: sun-bleached, torn at the edges, no longer fit to fly.
Many seem entirely sure what happens next, beyond a vague sense that you can't just throw it away.
Is there actually a specific way to dispose of a damaged or faded flag?
Verdict:
TRUE
A faded, torn or otherwise damaged Jalur Gemilang should not be thrown in the bin.
According to the official guidebook on national symbols published by the Information Department under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, the correct method of disposal is burning, which is to be carried out privately and away from public view.
The guidebook is clear on this point. A flag that has faded, torn or become otherwise unfit for display should not continue to be flown, and doing so is considered disrespectful to the national symbol.
This isn't a uniquely Malaysian rule, either.
Countries including the United States, India and Australia also prescribe burning as the proper method of disposing of a worn national flag.
What the guidebook doesn't offer is a step by step ceremony.
The topic drew fresh attention in August 2025, after a string of incidents involving the Jalur Gemilang being displayed upside down or incorrectly.
The Attorney General's Chambers said in a statement that it takes a serious view of any act of displaying, hoisting or installing the Malaysian flag in a disorderly or improper manner, and that all parties are responsible for respecting the flag as a symbol of national sovereignty and complying with the laws and guidelines governing its use.
Three pieces of legislation protect the proper use and display of the Jalur Gemilang: Section 504 of the Penal Code, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Legal and constitutional expert Associate Professor Datuk Dr Shamrahayu A. Aziz told Bernama that the improper use or display of the flag tarnishes the country's image and can undermine the nation's dignity.
"The adult generation must serve as role models for the young, as reflected in the saying 'bapa borek, anak rintik', where good practices in handling and displaying the flag become a legacy for future generations," she said.
Not every worn flag is beyond saving, though. If it's just dirty rather than damaged, the guidebook's position is that it should be cleaned and restored rather than retired early.
So the next time a Jalur Gemilang looks past its best, at least now you will know how to give it a proper send-off.
Sources:
1. https://dbook.penerangan.gov.
2. https://www.bernama.com/en/
3. https://www.bernama.com/en/
5. https://www.thestar.com.my/
