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Monday March 12, 2007

Selfless effort by MCA flag designer

KUALA LUMPUR: Yesterday was a big day for MCA life member Mok Yuen – not only was it his first time attending the party's anniversary celebration, it was also the day his contribution to the party was “celebrated.”

The 84-year-old, who travelled from Penang to attend the event, is the designer of MCA's flag.

He carried the flag into Dewan San Choon at Wisma MCA here at the start of the party's 58th anniversary celebration.

“I designed the flag in 1958 when the Penang MCA Youth realised there was nothing that represented the party then,” he said.

Mok drew two versions of the flag before presenting them to the party's headquarters.

MCA's logo to celebrate Malaysia's 50 years of nationhood
One version was a yellow chrysanthemum on a blue background while another was a nine-point yellow star on a blue background. The second version was later approved.

“Initially, there were only nine points in the yellow star as it represented the Federation of Malaya but this was changed to 14 points in 1963 to represent the 13 component states and the Federal Government,” he said.

Mok said the blue background symbolises brightness and unity while the use of yellow for the star represented the Chinese community.

“Many people asked me if I was paid to design the flag when they found out that I was the designer, and my answer was no.

“I did it simply because it was what the party needed at the time. I didn't do it for my own interest or to make myself famous,” he said.

He added: “I am happy that I have contributed to the party in this way.”

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