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Malaysian MP proposes renaming Rafflesia to shed colonial past
The Straits Times
|August 22, 2025
A Malaysian Member of Parliament has proposed renaming the Rafflesia, the iconic giant flower, in order to break free of the country's colonial past.
Opposition Perikatan Nasional MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad, who represents the ward of Machang in the east coast state of Kelantan, also claimed the flower was named after "a man without morals or ethics".
He brought the issue up during a parliamentary debate on Aug 19 and urged Acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Johari Abdul Ghani to raise it in Cabinet.
"In conjunction with Malaysia's 68th National Day, and in the spirit of the Prime Minister who urges us to view our history beyond the colonial framework, could the minister use his powers under the ministry to rename Malaysia's largest flower, the Rafflesia?" asked Mr Wan Ahmad Fayhsal.
Malaysia will celebrate its national day on Aug 31.
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