Reclaim the St. George's and the Union Jack from Hate: A Malaysian Immigrant's Perspective
I was furious when I saw that one TikTok video of a British man was in Malaysia during our Merdeka month in August, when the entire country celebrated independence from British colonial rule. He looked around at the flags flying proudly on skyscrapers, houses, shops, highways, and even in tiny villages, and he called it beautiful.
Then he said that if people did the same thing in the UK, they would be arrested or even jailed.
Arrested? For flying your own country’s flag?
As a Malaysian immigrant living in the UK, I could not believe the nonsense coming out of his mouth.
Pride in Malaysia vs. Fear in the UK
Back home, the flag is a symbol of UNITY. We fly it because we love our country, because it belongs to all of us. Malays, Chinese, Indians, indigenous communities, immigrants—we share that pride. We do it every day, not just in August, although during Merdeka month, it fills the whole country.
Here in the UK, the St. George's flag and Union Jack flag tell a very different story. Too often, it is hijacked by far-right groups to intimidate immigrants, whether they are here legally or illegally. The same flag that should unite people has been turned into a weapon.
That is why his comment was so infuriating. He admired the diversity and warmth of Malaysia while ignoring the racism and division in his own country. He enjoyed the welcome he received back home but said nothing about the hostility people like me face here. Many Malaysians and even some British people called him out for it in the comments.
What the UK Could Learn from Malaysia
Malaysia is not perfect, but it is one of the most diverse countries in the world. We have three main ethnic groups: Malay, Chinese, and Indian. There are more than sixty indigenous communities such as the Orang Asli, Kadazan, Dusun, Iban, Melanau, Bajau, etc. On top of that, there are immigrants from Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Myanmar, and yes, even the British.
Islam is the official religion, but everyone is free to practice their own faith. You can see a mosque next to a church or a temple on the same street. We celebrate Ramadhan, Eid, Chinese New Year, Diwali, Christmas, Wesak, Kaamatan, Easter, and many others, often as national public holidays. Together, they add up to nearly a month off each year.
This is why Malaysians fly the flag proudly. It represents unity across race, religion, and culture.
Take Back the Flag
The UK needs to reclaim its own flag. It should not be a symbol of fear or hate. It should not be used to tell immigrants they do not belong.
As an immigrant living here, I want to see the St. George's and Union Jack fly the way our Jalur Gemilang does back home. With pride. With love. As a sign of unity rather than division.