Last updated on December 29th, 2021 at 07:42 am
Seven types of flowers were submitted by the Agricultural Department in 1958 to be selected as the National Flower.
In the end, the hibiscus (bunga raya) took the title.
The six other flowers which vied for the coveted title were:
- ylang-ylang (bunga kenanga)
- jasmine (bunga melur)
- Magnolia champaca (bunga cempaka)
- lotus (bunga teratai)
- rose (bunga mawar)
- Spanish cherry (bunga tanjung).
A survey was conducted by the Information Department to determine public preference. East Coast folks opted for the rose as their favourite to be the National Flower.
West Coast folks, preferred the jasmine.
The flower was favoured by the East Coast residents in Peninsular Malaysia in a study carried out to seek public feedback at that time.
Another flower in the running was the jasmine, which most West Coast residents preferred, according to the Department of Information.
The government, however, opted for the hibiscus. Reason? It was well-known among the locals and found everywhere in Malaysia. Also, it was referred to by the same name throughout the country.
Also, no other country had the hibiscus as its national flower.
Hibiscus, eye-catching beautiful colour, and its unique shape were also factors that lead to its victory.
Thus Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s first Prime Minister announced that the hibiscus will be Malaysia’s national flower on July 28, 1960.
The five petals of the hibiscus also symbolises the five principles of the country’s Rukun Negara (National Principles).
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