History of Malaysias Merdeka

Hari Merdeka (Independence Day) is a national day of Malaysia commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule in 1957, celebrated on August 31 each year. It is not to be confused with the formation of Malaysia. August 31 of 1957 is designated as the formation of Malaya which does not include the states of Sabah and Sarawak.

Events leading up to independence

The effort for independence was spearheaded by Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, who led a delegation of ministers and political leaders of Malaya in negotiations with the British in London for Merdeka, or independence along with the first president of the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) Tun Dato Sir Tan Cheng Lock and fifth President of Malaysian Indian Congress Tun V.T. Sambanthan. Once it became increasingly clear that the Communist threat posed during the Malayan Emergency was petering out, agreement was reached on February 8, 1956, for Malaya to gain independence from the British Empire. However, for a number of logistical and administrative reasons, it was decided that the official proclamation of independence would only be made the next year, on August 31, 1957, at Stadium Merdeka (Independence Stadium), in Kuala Lumpur.

August 31, 1957

On the night of August 30, 1957, crowds gathered at the Royal Selangor Club Padang in Kuala Lumpur to witness the handover of power from the British. Prime Minister-designate Tunku Abdul Rahman arrived at 11:58 pm and joined members of the Alliance Party's youth divisions in observing two minutes of darkness. On the stroke of midnight, the lights were switched back on, and the Union Flag in the square was lowered.[3] The new Flag of Malaya was raised as the national anthem Negaraku was played. This was followed by seven chants of 'Merdeka' by the crowd.[2][3] Tunku Abdul Rahman gave a speech hailing the ceremony as "greatest moment in the life of the Malayan people".

Tunku Abdul Rahman announcing the independence of Malaya from the British on August 31, 1957 at the Merdeka Stadium

On the morning of Saturday, August 31, 1957, the festivities moved to the newly-completed Merdeka Stadium. More than 20,000 people witnessed the ceremony, which began at 9:30 am. Those in attendance included rulers of the Malay states, foreign dignitaries, members of the federal cabinet and citizens. The Queen's representative, the Duke of Gloucester presented Tunku Abdul Rahman with the instrument of independence. Tunku then proceeded to read the Proclamation of Independence, which culminated in the chanting of 'Merdeka' seven times with the crowd joining in. The ceremony continued with the raising of the National Flag of Malaya accompanied by the national anthem being played and a 21-gun salute, followed by an azan call and a thanksgiving prayer in honor of this great occasion.

The formation of Malaysia

The Federation of Malaysia, comprising the States of Malaya, North Borneo (later renamed Sabah), Sarawak and Singapore was to be officially declared on the date August 31, 1963, on the 6th anniversary of Malayan independence. However, it was postponed to September 16, 1963, mainly due to Indonesian and the Philippines' opposition to the formation of Malaysia. Nevertheless, North Borneo and Singapore declared sovereignty on August 31, 1963. Indonesian opposition later escalated to a military conflict. Indonesia considered Malaysia as a new form of colonization on the provinces of Sarawak and Sabah in the island of Borneo (bordering Kalimantan, Indonesia), which they laid claim on. [5] To assure Indonesia that Malaysia was not a form of neo-colonialism, a referendum, organized by the United Nations, and the Cobbold Commission, led by Lord Cobbold, were formed to determine whether the people of Sabah and Sarawak wished to join Malaysia. Their eventual findings which indicated substantial support for Malaysia among the peoples of Sabah and Sarawak, cleared the way for the final proclamation of Malaysia. The formation of the Federation of Malaysia was then announced on September 16, 1963 as Malaysia Day. The nationwide Independence Day celebration is still held on August 31, the original independence date of Malaya, while Malaysia Day is a public holiday only in East Malaysia. However, this has caused some minor discontent among East Malaysians in particular since it has been argued that celebrating the national day on August 31 is too Malayacentric.[6][7][8] In 2009, it was decided that starting 2010, Malaysia Day would be a nationwide public holiday in addition to Hari Merdeka on August 31.[9]

Theme
In nearly every year, a brand new theme and logo were made for the celebration of the Independence Day of Malaysia.
Year 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 Theme Muhibah dan Perpaduan (Love and Unity) Masyarakat Progresif (Progressive Society) Masyarakat Adil (Fair Society) Masyarakat Berkebudayaan Malaysia (A Society with Malaysian Culture) Sains dan Teknologi Alat Perpaduan (Science and Technology as Tools of Unity) Masyarakat Berdikari (A Self-Reliant Society) Ketahanan Rakyat (Strength of the People) Bersatu Maju (United and Progressive) Kebudayaan Sendi Perpaduan (Culture is the Core of Unity) Bersatu Berdisplin (United and Disciplined) Berdisplin Berbakti (Discipline and Service) Berdisplin Berharmoni (Discipline and Harmony) Berdisplin Giat Maju (Discipline Creates Progress) Bersama Ke Arah Kemajuan (Together Towards Success) Amanah Asas Kejayaan (Honesty Brings Success) Nasionalisme Teras Perpaduan (Nationalism is the Core of Unity) Bangsa Tegas Negara Teguh (Steadfast Society, Strong Country)

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 20002006 2007 2008

2009

2010

Setia Bersatu Berusaha Maju (Loyally United and Progressively Working) Bersatu (Unity) Bersatu (Unity) Berjaya (Success) Wawasan 2020 (Vision 2020) Wawasan Asas Kemajuan (Vision is the Basis of Progress) Bersatu Menuju Wawasan (Together Towards Vision) Nilai Murni Jayakan Wawasan (Good Values Makes the Vision a Success) Jatidiri Pengerak Wawasan (Steadfastness Moves the Vision Forward) Budaya Penentu Kecapaian (Culture Determines Achievements ) Akhlak Mulia Masyarakat Jaya (Good Values Make a Successful Society) Negara Kita, Tanggungjawab Kita (Our Country, Our Responsibility) Bersatu Ke Alaf Baru (Together Towards the New Millennium) Keranamu: MALAYSIA (Because of you: MALAYSIA) Malaysiaku Gemilang (My Glorious Malaysia) Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan (Unity Is The Core of Success) 1 Malaysia, Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan (1 Malaysia, People First, Performance Now) 1 Malaysia, Menjana Transformasi (1 Malaysia, Generates

2011

Transformation) 1 Malaysia, Transformasi Berjaya, Rakyat Sejahtera (1 Malaysia, Transformation Success, People Peace)

History of Malaysia

Malaysia is a country in South East Asia whose strategic sea-lane position brought trade and foreign influences that fundamentally influenced its history. Hindu and Buddhist cultures imported from India dominated early Malaysian history. They reached their peak in the Sumatran-based Srivijaya civilization, whose influence extended through Sumatra, Java, the Malay Peninsula and much of Borneo from the 7th to the 14th centuries. Although Muslims had passed through Malaysia as early as the 10th century, it was not until the 14th and 15th centuries that Islam first established itself on the Malayan Peninsular. The adoption of Islam by the 15th century saw the rise of number sultanates, the most prominent of which was the Melaka (Malacca). Islamic culture has had a profound influence on the Malay people, but has also been influenced by them. The Portuguese were the first European colonial powers to establish themselves in Malaysia, capturing Malacca in 1511, followed by the Dutch. However, it was the British, who after initially establishing bases at Jesselton, Kuching, Penang and Singapore, ultimately secured their hegemony across the territory that is now Malaysia. The Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 defined the boundaries between British Malaya and the

Netherlands East Indies (which became Indonesia). A fourth phase of foreign influence was immigration of Chinese and Indian workers to meet the needs of the colonial economy created by the British in the Malay Peninsula and Borneo.[1] Japanese invasion during World War II ended British domination in Malaysia. The subsequent occupation from 1942 to 1945 unleashed nationalism in Malaya and Borneo. In the Peninsula, the Malayan Communist Party took up arms against the British. A tough military response was needed to end the insurgency and bring about the establishment of an independent, multi-racial Federation of Malaya in 1957. On 31 August 1963, the British territories in North Borneo and Singapore were granted independence and formed Malaysia with the Peninsular states on 16 September 1963. Approximately two years later, Singapore was expelled from the Federation. A confrontation with Indonesia occurred in the early-1960s. Race riots in 1969 led to the imposition of emergency rule, and a curtailment of political life and civil liberties which has never been fully reversed. Since 1970 the "National Front coalition" headed by United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) has governed Malaysia. Economic growth dramatically increased living standards by the 1990s. This growing prosperity helped minimise political discontent.[citation needed]

Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad Tun Abdul Razak Hussein Tunku Abdul Rahman TUN HUSSEIN ONN Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

By LEENA ADAM 3 MUSYTARI (2011)