Sarawak's Flags

Brooke Dynasty

1841-1848

James Brooke, First White Rajah of Sarawak used swallow-tailed St.George flag

1848 – 1870

The first Sarawak flag was a half blue, half red cross on a yellow background, designed by James Brooke himself.  The half blue and half red cross was from Brooke Armorial Bearings, while yellow was the royal colour of Borneo.

This flag was first hoisted on 21^st September 1848, on the British frigate Meander, of which James Brooke travelled back from England.

1870 – 1946

On 7^th May 1870, Charles Brooke changed the blue colour into black.  A addition of a golden 5-pointed crown with in the center of the cross.

The flag was hoisted on 26^th September 1870, during the birthday of the then Raja Muda Charles Brooke.

British Crown Colony

1946 – 1963  

Sarawak flag was retained as a coat-of-arm on a Blue Ensign when Sarawak was ceded to British as Crown Colony on 1^st July 1946.

Sarawak ( Malaysia )

1963 - 1973

When Sarawak gained independence on 22^nd July 1963, and joining the Federation of Malaysia on 16^th September 1963, the Kingdom of Sarawak flag remained in use until 1973.

1973 - 1988

The Trisakti was introduced on 31^st August 1973.  It was designed by the then Chief Minister, Abdul Rahman Ya’kub. 

The blue represents unity, red is for courage and perseverance, and white represents honesty and purity.

Along with the new flag, Sarawak also adopted new state anthem and motto : Sarawak Bahagia, and “Hidup Selalu Berkhidmat”

1988 – present

The flag was first hoisted during National Day parade in Kuching on 31^st August 1988.

Red represent courage, determination and sacrifices of the people of Sarawak in their tireless pursuit to attain and maintain progress and esteem in the course of creating a model state ; yellow represents the supremacy of law and order, unity and stability in diversity ; black represents the rich natural resources and wealth of Sarawak, which provide the foundation for the advancement of the people ; the star represent the aspiration of the people of Sarawak in their quest to improve their quality of life ; and the nine points of the star represent 9 divisions where the people live in harmony.

The changes come with two significant changes: the cross was replaced with two diagonal bars and the crown was substituted with a nine-pointed star symbolising the original nine divisions of Sarawak, in order to eliminate any overt references to Christianity and a sovereign monarchy.

Along with yet another new flag, Sarawak also adopted new state anthem and motto : Ibu Pertiwiku, and “Bersatu, Berusaha, Berbakti”