Did You Know: You Can Be Jailed or Fined if You Don’t Follow These Rules When Displaying the Jalur Gemilang

In recent years, there have been increasing reports of people displaying the Malaysian flag wrongly, with some even placing the Jalur Gemilang upside-down. This year is no different.

Prior to this, Communications Minister, Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, had suggested that those who are unclear about the procedures for displaying the Jalur Gemilang refer to the Information Department (JaPen) to prevent incidents.

According to JaPen, the Jalur Gemilang can only be displayed horizontally.

“The Jalur Gemilang must be displayed HORIZONTALLY only. The Jalur Gemilang CANNOT be displayed upside down. The normal-sized Jalur Gemilang cannot be displayed vertically,” they explained.

More information

Additionally, the government has prepared a PDF document with all the information needed to ensure individuals, organisations, companies and brands display the Jalur Gemilang properly and stay out of trouble!

This includes the right colours to use for the flag, the various ways the Jalur Gemilang can be displayed, the appropriate sizes, as well as the legal action that can be taken against you should you display the Jalur Gemilang wrongly.

You can be fined, jailed, or both

Should anyone violate the terms under which a Jalur Gemilang should be displayed, legal action can be taken under Act 414 (Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963) and Act 193 (National Emblems (Control of Display) Act 1949).

Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1963: Anyone who contravenes Section 3 is committing an offence and, upon conviction, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding RM1,000.

As for the National Emblems (Control of Display) Act 1949, those who violate the terms may be subject to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, a fine not exceeding RM500 or both, if in the case of a person other than a corporate body. As for corporate bodies, a fine not exceeding RM1,000 can be imposed.

The violations are as below:

• Displays any national emblem contrary to this Act or any condition of any order or permit made or granted under Section 5, or
• As the owner, tenant, lessee, occupier or person in charge of any premises knowingly permits any national emblem to be displayed on or from such premises or in any school contrary to this Act or any condition of any order or permit made or granted under Section 5, commits an offence and on conviction may,

Any individual who insults or commits extreme provocations against the Jalur Gemilang flag with the aim of defaming or inciting may also be subjected to action based on the Penal Code and the Sedition Act 1948.

For a full breakdown on how to display the Jalur Gemilang properly, you can check out the government’s PDF here.

What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.

Also read: M’sian Student with 3.83 CGPA Allegedly Blocked from Public University Courses Due to Autism