Introduction
The flag of Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, is a distinctive and modern civic banner. It features a deep blue field with a central seven-pointed star and crescent in yellow, flanked by two equal-width vertical stripes of red and white on the hoist side. The design is a clear departure from traditional Malaysian state flags, embracing a more contemporary and geometric aesthetic.
The flag's layout is unique, with the red and white stripes occupying the left third of the field, creating a strong vertical element. The remaining blue field serves as a backdrop for the prominent Islamic symbols of the crescent and star, which are significantly larger than those found on the national flag. This bold composition makes the flag easily recognizable from a distance.
Adopted in 1990, the flag represents Kuala Lumpur's status as a Federal Territory, governed directly by the Malaysian federal government. Its colors and symbols are carefully chosen to reflect both the city's identity and its integral role within the nation, balancing local pride with national allegiance.
Meaning & Symbolism
The deep blue field symbolizes the unity of the people of Kuala Lumpur and the city's role as a modern, progressive metropolis. The red and white vertical stripes on the hoist directly reference the colors of the Flag of Malaysia, affirming the city's status as a Federal Territory and its inseparable link to the nation.
The central yellow crescent represents Islam, the official religion of Malaysia. The yellow seven-pointed star, known as the Bintang Persekutuan (Federal Star), symbolizes the unity between Kuala Lumpur and the other Federal Territories, as well as the federal government. The color yellow for these symbols denotes royalty, reflecting the constitutional monarchy.
History of the Kuala Lumpur Flag
The flag was officially adopted on 14 May 1990, coinciding with Kuala Lumpur's declaration as a Federal Territory in 1974. Its creation was part of a broader initiative to establish distinct symbols for the newly formed federal territories, which lack a hereditary ruler like the Malaysian states.
The design was selected through a competition and formally approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the King of Malaysia). The adoption year of 1990 is well-documented, marking the point when the flag entered official use for civic functions and government buildings.
Curiosities
- The flag's seven-pointed star is unique among Malaysian state and territory flags, which typically feature a 14-point star (representing the 13 states and federal government).
- Kuala Lumpur's flag is one of only three flags for Malaysian Federal Territories, alongside Labuan and Putrajaya, each with a distinct design but sharing the red-white-blue color scheme.
- The flag is often flown alongside the national Jalur Gemilang during federal holidays and major events in the capital, creating a striking visual pairing.
Download Flag
Download the flag of Kuala Lumpur in high-quality SVG vector format or PNG raster images. SVG files can be scaled to any size without losing quality.
Construction Sheet
The flag's official proportions are 1:2 (width to length). The red and white vertical stripes on the hoist side each occupy one-sixth of the flag's total width, combined taking up one-third. The remaining two-thirds is the deep blue field. The yellow crescent and seven-pointed star are centered on this blue field, with their size and placement specified in official guidelines to ensure proper visibility and proportion.
Flags Similar to Kuala Lumpur Flag
Malaysia
shared red-white stripes and Islamic crescent/star motif · red, white, blue, yellow
United Kingdom
blue field with red/white elements
Netherlands
red, white, blue triband
Common Misidentifications
Rarely misidentified due to its unique civic design, but the colors may loosely associate it with other flags using red, white, and blue.