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.
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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.
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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.[1] On the stroke of midnight, the
lights were switched back on, and the Union Flag in the square was lowered.[2] 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.[1][2] Tunku Abdul Rahman gave a
speech hailing the ceremony as "greatest moment in the life of the Malayan
people".[1]
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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.[3] The Queen's representative, the Duke of
Gloucester presented Tunku Abdul Rahman with the instrument of
independence.[3] 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.[3]
The formation of Malaysia
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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. [4] 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 was 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 Malaya-centric.[5][6][7] In
2009, it was decided that starting 2010, Malaysia Day would be a nationwide
public holiday in addition to Hari Merdeka on August 31.[8]
|
Year
|
Theme
|
|
1970
|
Muhibah dan Perpaduan
(Love and Unity) |
|
1971
|
Masyarakat Progresif
(Progressive Society) |
|
1972
|
Masyarakat Adil
(Fair Society) |
|
1973
|
Masyarakat Berkebudayaan Malaysia
(A Society with Malaysian Culture) |
|
1974
|
Sains dan Teknologi Alat Perpaduan
(Science and Technology as Tools of Unity) |
|
1975
|
Masyarakat Berdikari
(A Self-Reliant Society) |
|
1976
|
Ketahanan Rakyat
(Strength of the People) |
|
1977
|
Bersatu Maju
(United and Progressive) |
|
1978
|
Kebudayaan Sendi Perpaduan
(Culture is the Core of Unity) |
|
1979
|
Bersatu Berdisplin
(United and Disciplined) |
|
1980
|
Berdisplin Berbakti
(Discipline and Service) |
|
1981
|
Berdisplin Berharmoni
(Discipline and Harmony) |
|
1982
|
Berdisplin Giat Maju
(Discipline Creates Progress) |
|
1983
|
Bersama Ke Arah Kemajuan
(Together Towards Success) |
|
1984
|
Amanah Asas Kejayaan
(Honesty Brings Success) |
|
1985
|
Nasionalisme Teras Perpaduan
(Nationalism is the Core of Unity) |
|
1986
|
Bangsa Tegas Negara Teguh
(Steadfast Society, Strong Country) |
|
1987
|
Setia Bersatu Berusaha Maju
(Loyally United and Progressively Working) |
|
1988
|
Bersatu
(Unity) |
|
1989
|
Bersatu
(Unity) |
|
1990
|
Berjaya
(Success) |
|
1991
|
Wawasan 2020
(Vision 2020) |
|
1992
|
Wawasan Asas Kemajuan
(Vision is the Basis of Progress) |
|
1993
|
Bersatu Menuju Wawasan
(Together Towards Vision) |
|
1994
|
Nilai Murni Jayakan Wawasan
(Good Values Makes the Vision a Success) |
|
1995
|
Jatidiri Pengerak Wawasan
(Steadfastness Moves the Vision Forward) |
|
1996
|
Budaya Penentu Kecapaian
(Culture Determines Achievements ) |
|
1997
|
Akhlak Mulia Masyarakat Jaya
(Good Values Make a Successful Society) |
|
1998
|
Negara Kita, Tanggungjawab Kita
(Our Country, Our Responsibility) |
|
1999
|
Bersatu Ke Alaf Baru
(Together Towards the New Millennium) |
|
2000–2006
|
Keranamu Malaysia
(Because of you, Malaysia) |
|
2007
|
Malaysiaku Gemilang
(My Glorious Malaysia) |
|
2008
|
Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan
(Unity Is The Core of Success) |
|
2009
|
1 Malaysia:
Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan
(1 Malaysia: People First, Performance Now) |
|
2010
|
1 Malaysia: Menjana Transformasi
(1 Malaysia Transforming the Nation) |
|
2011
|
1 Malaysia: Transformasi Berjaya, Rakyat
Sejahtera
(1 Malaysia: Transformation Success, People Peace) |
|
2012
|
55 Tahun Merdeka: Janji Ditepati
(55 Years of Independence: Promises Fulfilled) |
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