The current flag was made official when the Malaysia Federal Constitutional Monarchy was established in 1963. The red and white 14 bars represent the 13 states and the federal government. Likewise, the 14 streaks of star light represent the 14 states and federal government, while the new moon symbolizes the state religion Islam. The new moon and star are colored in yellow, which is the color of the Sultan, the traditional Chief of Malaysia. The overall deisgn resembles that of the American star flag, but it has not been explained why.