The Flag of Malaysia: Part 3 Meeting of the Conference of Rulers

The Flag of Malaysia: Part 3

Meeting of the Conference of Rulers

Quote:

"The Conference agrees to accept the proposed Design No. 9 for the Flag of the Federation of Malaya subject to the Crescent and Star of the Flag being yellow instead of white in colour," minutes of the Tenth Meeting of the Conference of Rulers, Malay States on Wednesday and Thursday, 22 and 23 February, 1950, corresponding to 5th and 6th Jumadil-Awal 1369. (CO 537/9925. Political Developments: Minutes of the Proceedings of the Conference of Rulers)

MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF RULERS , MALAY STATES

The quote above came from the minutes of the Tenth meeting of the Conference of Rulers, Malay States held on 22 and 23 February, 1950 in Istana Selangor, Kuala Lumpur. However, the decision-making process not only involved the Malay Rulers but also the people and the Federal Legislative Council. It was quite a long-drawn process but in the final analysis, a good one.

The Conference of Rulers, Malay States was formed when the Federation of Malaya was inaugurated on 1 February, 1948. Historically, it had its beginning in 1895 when the Federated Malay States was formed, and a council comprising the Rulers of Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang, was formed initially called The Durbar. The Conference of Rulers is now part and parcel of the Parliamentary Democracy as practised in Malaysia.

Initially, the flag was in the agenda of the Ninth meeting of the Conference of Rulers. This was the original plan as it was the desire of the Federal Legislative Council to have the issue of the Flag of Malaya to be resolved quickly.

However, it was only during the Tenth meeting of the Conference of Rulers on 22 and 23 of Rebruary, 1950 that the decision on the flag of Malaya was taken. The two-day meeting was presided by the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Abu Bakar Ri'ayatuddin Al-muadzam Shah ibni Al-marhum Al-mu'tasim Billah Abdullah. All the Malay Rulers attended the meeting except the Sultan of Johore, who was represented by the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail ibni Sultan Ibrahim.

The Menteris Besar or Acting Menteris Besar of the nine States attended the meeting as Malay adviser to their highnesses the Rulers except Perak who was representd by the State Secretary, Inche' (sic) Mustapha Albakri bin Haji Hassan. The Governor of Penang and Malacca at that time were not members of this august body.

Others in attendance were: The High Commissioner, Sir Henry Lovell Goldsworthy Gurney, The Chief Secretary, Sir Alexander Theodore Newboult, and the Acting Attorney General, Mr. T. Brown.

Sir Henry Gurney informed the Malay Rulers that the Federal Legislative Council had taken an informal vote on the final two designs of the flag, with No. 1 getting 24 votes and No. 9 getting 47 votes. Sir Henry said if a formal vote were taken No. 9 would prevailed. The two designs were displayed on a board for the Rulers to view.

He explained that No. 9, had an eleven-pointed star and eleven stripes representing the nine Malay States and the two Settlements. Obviously, this was not the same design when it was revealed to the public. In the interim, changes had been made by changing the five-pointed star to eleven pointed-star.

Sir Henry addressed the Rulers: "We do not know what further views Your Highnesses have."

The Menteri Besar of Selangor, Raja Uda bin Raja Muhammad speaking for the other Menteris Besar, said: "May it please Your Highness, we the Menteri Menteri Besar all have agreed to design No. 9."

The Sultan of Kedah, Tunku Badlishah ibni Al-marhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah was the first Ruler to speak. His Highness suggested that the Crescent and the Star should be in yellow. "I think the Rulers consider yellow to be Royal," The Sultan said. The design on display showed the Crescent and the Star in white.

Sir Henry said: "Your Highness. There is nothing at present in the design to denote membership of the British Commonwealth except the colours red, white and blue."

The Sultan of Kedah pressed on: "All colours are represented there except yellow."

The Sultan of Perak agreed with design No.9, without any amendments. The Sultan's view was made known by the Perak State Secretary. The Sultan of Selangor agreed with the Sultan of Perak. So was the Sultan of Kelantan. Those for white appeared to gain ground.

Then, the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan spoke supporting the Sultan of Kedah's suggestion. This was followed by the Sultan of Terengganu who also supported the suggestion.

The Sultan of Pahang, who was presiding the meeting, indicated that he preferred the Star and Crescent to be in yellow. It was clear that following the Sultan of Pahang's "vote", yellow has an upper hand.

The Raja of Perlis brought up another issue. "I do not feel that it would be necessary to have an eleven star because the eleven stripes of the Flag already represent the nine Malay States and the two Settlements. I would, therefore, suggest that it should be a five-pointed star," the Raja said.

The Sultan of Johore, whose state flag has a five pointed star said: "I would prefer a five-pointed star in yellow."

As only two Rulers voiced their opinion on the eleven-pointed star, the issue was not carried.

At this stage, the Menteri Besar of Pahang, spoke: "I am commanded by His Highness the Sultan of Pahang to express the personal feeling of His Highness on this matter. His Highness agrees to design No 9 except that the Star and crescent to be in yellow instead of white."

Sir Henry Gurney intervened to say:" Would Their Highnesses the Sultan of Kelantan, the Sultan of Selangor and the Sultan of Perak have any objection to the Crescent and Star being in yellow?"

All three Sultans said they have no objection.

Sir Henry then said:" Well, Your Highnesses, my next step would be to move a formal motion in the Federal Legislative Council for the design No. 9 with the Crescent and Star in yellow. It is hoped that all the Malay members of the Legislative Council would support this."