Bunga Raya: The Story of Malaysia’s National Flower

To understand the true meaning behind Malaysia’s national flower, we must rewind to 1957, when the country’s independence was declared and the Government announced that the nation deserved a symbol of identity, one that rose to the standards of the population and represented the people with true authenticity and resonance.

Some three years later, in 1960, after a rigorous selection process that drew upon the knowledge and expertise of botanicalists, horticulturalists, the Department of Agriculture, and other leading cultural figures, a shortlist of flowers was created.

They included ylang-ylang, jasmine, lotus, rose, magnolia, hibiscus, and the Bunga Raya (otherwise officially known as Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis). The final choice of the Bunga Raya was officially declared by the Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj (Britannica). It was an apt choice, considering that in Bahasa Melayu, “bunga” means “flower”. In contrast, the word “raya” can be associated with “celebratory” - it was a true celebration of unity in the multicultural nation of Malaysia and the perfect flower to represent them and their independence.

Malaysia’s ‘National Flower’

The Bunga Raya was nominated for its distinctive appearance as well as the nation’s love and familiarity with the flower. Grown in both rural and urban communities, it was underrepresented in other regions and, amongst its competitors, was an ideal candidate for being chosen.

Vibrant in color, the red remains to this day representative of the unity of a nation, courage, life, and rapid growth. Some ten years after the official ‘National Flower’ proclamation, on July 28th, 1960 (the 13th anniversary of Independence), the five ‘National Principles’ of Malaysia’s official ideology, The Rukun Negara (Wikipedia), were incorporated as the flower’s fifth symbol.

History of the Bunga Raya

The Bunga Raya flower is of the Hibiscus variety, grown from a small tree with an evergreen shrub that has several hundred species. It was first introduced to the Malay Peninsula in the 12th Century as an ornamental plant well suited to the country’s tropical climate.

The flowers it can produce have prominent central stigma/stamens and range in colors from red, white, pink, purple, lavender, and yellow, otherwise known as Chinese Hibiscus, China Rose, Hawaiian Hibiscus, Rose Mallo, and Shoeblack Plant. They are a flower that has always been abundant in Malaysia’s gardens, roadside areas, and rural spaces, and have been thoughtfully incorporated into many public parks, including the Perdana Botanical Gardens in Kuala Lumpur, formerly known as Perdana Lake Gardens. It is here that locals and tourists alike head to immerse themselves in the colour and spectacle of its traditional Hibiscus garden.

Representation of the Bunga Raya

To this day, Malaysia’s national flower is more widely used than ever: in national emblems, notes, coins, and a variety of cultural representations and modern-day motifs.

Government buildings, businesses, public places, and schools often plant the flower as a reminder of the country’s national pride and multicultural identity.

In fact, The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL), used the flower in its own recent 60th anniversary celebrations, through a special collaboration with ‘A Piece of Malaysia’ (APOM), to create an exclusive range of merchandise that featured ‘I Suka Kuala Lumpur’ (I Love Kuala Lumpur) products, incorporating the Bunga Raya in its design.

In a country that prides itself on its natural beauty, the Bunga Raya flower offers much more than its appearance. It can be made into a tea that helps reduce high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and aids in weight loss. When blended with oils, it can have both cooling and soothing effects on the skin and treat hair loss when massaged into the scalp. Even its roots are used as a remedy to reduce coughing, a tonic to kill head lice, or even an alternative to shoe polish!

In summary, the Bunga Raya flower is beyond a ‘flower’ - it is, in fact, a national treasure that gives significant joy and happiness to everyone who walks amongst it.