1841 – Present | From the Kingdom Era to Modern Sarawak
A flag tells the story of an era.
From the White Rajah dynasty, wartime occupation, and colonial rule, to modern-day Sarawak, every change of the flag reflects the transformation of history, identity, and the spirit of its people.
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① 1841 – 1848
[Saint George’s Cross]
During the early administration of Sarawak under British explorer James Brooke, the flag featuring Saint George’s Cross (the red cross) was used, symbolizing the beginning of British influence in Sarawak.
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② 1848 – 1870
[Kingdom of Sarawak]
The flag adopted a yellow background with a blue-and-red cross and a crown emblem.
Yellow represented royalty, while the crown symbolized the rule of the Brooke dynasty.
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③ 1870 – 1941
[Kingdom of Sarawak]
The design was further modified by changing the blue stripe to black, creating the iconic black-and-red cross flag.
This became the most recognizable flag of the “White Rajah Era.”
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④ 1941 – 1945
[Hinomaru]
During World War II, Sarawak was occupied by Japan, and the Japanese national flag, known as the “Hinomaru,” was used.
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⑤ 1945 – 1946
[Australia]
After the war, Australian forces temporarily administered Sarawak, leading to the brief use of the Australian flag.
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⑥ 1946 – 1963
[British Crown Colony of Sarawak]
In 1946, Sarawak became a British Crown Colony.
The flag incorporated British elements together with the Sarawak coat of arms, marking the official beginning of the colonial era.
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⑦ 1963 – 1973
[Sarawak]
After joining Malaysia in 1963, Sarawak introduced a new flag design.
The colors black, red, and yellow were retained, symbolizing courage, unity, and sovereignty.
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⑧ 1973 – 1988
[“Trisakti”]
A new design featuring blue, white, and red was adopted.
Blue symbolized unity, white represented purity, and red stood for courage.
It remains one of the most distinctive and memorable flags in Sarawak’s history.
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⑨ 1988 – Present
[Current Sarawak Flag]
Introduced in 1988 and still in use today.
Yellow represents the people and prosperity;
Black symbolizes Sarawak’s rich natural resources;
Red signifies courage and sacrifice;
while the nine-pointed star represents the unity of Sarawak’s regions and people.
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🏛️ One flag, one history.
The evolution of the Sarawak flag is not merely a change in design,
but a reflection of Sarawak’s journey — from kingdom rule and colonial times to the path of modern development.
