WITH National Day just days away, Malaysians across the country reach for their flags with the enthusiasm of a nation that genuinely loves a good celebration.
But between the bunting, the banners and the enthusiastic flag-hanging that transforms every neighbourhood into a sea of red, white, blue and yellow, one mistake keeps turning up year after year.
Is it true that you cannot hang the Jalur Gemilang vertically?
Verdict:
TRUE
The standard Jalur Gemilang must only be displayed horizontally. Hanging it vertically, turning it sideways or displaying it at any angle other than its intended horizontal orientation is not permitted, according to the official guidebook on national symbols published by the Information Department under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry.
The rule applies whether the flag is flown from a pole, hung on a wall, draped across a building or strung together with other flags on a flagline. Even when multiple flags are displayed in a row, they must be arranged horizontally, never vertically or in a triangular pennant form.
This is one of the most commonly broken flag display rules during the Merdeka season. Every August, social media fills with photographs of the Jalur Gemilang hung the wrong way up, displayed sideways or flipped with the crescent and star in the wrong corner, prompting annual rounds of public commentary and official reminders.
The Attorney General's Chambers stated in August 2025 that it "views seriously any act of displaying, hoisting, or installing the Malaysian flag in a disorderly or improper manner," as reported by Bernama.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said in a Facebook post in August 2025 that any misuse or error involving the national flag or national symbols, including the Jalur Gemilang and the Malaysian Coat of Arms, are subject to the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963, as reported by The Star.
Three pieces of legislation protect the proper 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, The Star reported.
There is, however, a version of the flag that is designed to hang vertically, and this is where many Malaysians get confused.
The Malaysia Banner is a separate format of the national flag specifically designed for vertical display. It was standardised through Prime Minister's Office General Circular No. 1 of 1990.
The banner hangs from top to bottom and has two sections. The upper section contains the crescent and star in yellow pointing upward against a blue background. The lower section contains 14 red and white stripes running from top to bottom. The tail at the bottom of the banner must measure one-eighth of the banner's total length.
Crucially, the Malaysia Banner must never be hung horizontally. Just as the standard flag must only be horizontal, the banner must only be vertical. They are two distinct formats designed for two different orientations, and swapping them is an error.
When viewed from the front, the left side of the banner must begin with a red stripe and end with a white stripe. The standard size for the Malaysia Banner is 12 feet long and three feet wide, at a ratio of 4:1.
Historian Associate Professor Dr Abu Hanifah Haris told Bernama in August 2025 that Malaysians should cultivate a sense of love and pride in the Jalur Gemilang to prevent improper displays.
"In recent years, we have seen various mistakes made by our people when using or hoisting the flag, for example, flying it upside down, darkening its colours, displaying flags with the wrong number of stars or points, and so on," legal and constitutional expert Associate Professor Datuk Dr Shamrahayu A. Aziz told Bernama.
"When such errors occur, they reflect the identity of Malaysians themselves," she said.
For Malaysians getting ready to decorate their homes, shops and offices this Merdeka month, the rule is simple. If it is the standard Jalur Gemilang with horizontal stripes, it goes up horizontally. If you want something hanging vertically from your balcony or shopfront, use the Malaysia Banner. And whichever format you choose, the crescent and star must always be in the upper left corner from the viewer's perspective.
Getting it right takes a moment. Getting it wrong is visible to every passer-by for the entire month.
Sources:
1. Menghormati Lambang-Lambang Kebesaran Negara, Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia, Kementerian Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia, November 2020 (ISBN 978-983-54-0610-2)
2. https://bernama.com/en/news.
3. https://www.bernama.com/en/
5. https://www.thestar.com.my/
