Hari Merdeka

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Hari Merdeka Malaya

(Independence Day a for the people of Malaya)

Merdeka Day Parade 08 - 57.jpg

A man is thrown into the air by a crowd during Merdeka Day celebrations in Merdeka Square, Kuala
Lumpur, 2008

Official name Hari Merdeka

Also called Merdeka, Hari Kebangsaan, National Day

Observed by Malaysians

Type National

Significance Marks the independence of the Federation of Malaya

Date 31 August

Next time 31 August 2020

Frequency annual

Part of a series on the

History of Malaysia

The independence of Malaya and the merger proclamation of North Borneo and Sarawak to formed
Malaysia.

Prehistoric Malaysia[show]

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vte

Hari Merdeka (Malaysian for 'Independence Day'), also known as Hari Kebangsaan ('National Day') is
the official independence day of Malaysia as defined in the Article 160 of the Constitution of
Malaysia, to commemorate the Malayan Declaration of Independence on 31 August 1957.[1] The
day is marked by official and unofficial ceremonies and observances.

The annual observation of 31 August as Malaysia's national day, despite being defined in the
constitution, is not left unchallenged over the years. There have been calls by certain quarters to
prioritize the celebration of Hari Malaysia (Malaysia Day) commemorating the formation of Malaysia
in 1963,[2] especially from those of East Malaysia, by arguing that it is illogical to celebrate 31
August 1957 as the national day when "Malaysia" only existed from 1963.[3][4] Supporters rebuke
the aforementioned argument that it is ignorant with the fact that legally, 'the Federation' as
defined in the same Article 160 of the Constitution of Malaysia, is 'the Federation' that was
established under Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957, not the Malaysia Agreement 1963.[1] In
1963, 'the Federation', then named the Federation of Malaya, was further enlarged and renamed
Malaysia, when the existing states of Malaya merged with North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore.[5]

Contents

1 Events leading up to independence

2 Independence Day (31 August 1957)

2.1 Attendees

3 The formation of Malaysia

4 Themes

4.1 Google doodle

5 2015 Hari Merdeka Anniversary Issues

6 See also

7 References

8 External links

Events leading up to independence

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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 Malaysian
Chinese Association (MCA) Tun Dato Sir Tan Cheng Lock and fifth President of Malaysian Indian
Congress Tun V. T. Sambanthan. Once it became clear that the Communist threat posed during the
Malayan Emergency was petering out, agreement was reached on 8 February 1956, for Malaya to
gain independence from the British Empire. However, logistical and administrative reasons led to the
official proclamation of independence in the next year, on 31 August 1957, at Stadium Merdeka
(Independence Stadium), in Kuala Lumpur, which was purposely built for the celebrations of national
independence day. The announcement of the day was set months earlier by the Tunku in a meeting
of the Alliance in Melaka.

Independence Day (31 August 1957)

On the night of 30 August 1957, More than 20,000 people gathered at the Merdeka Square (Padang
Merdeka) in Kuala Lumpur to witness the handover of power from the British. Prime Minister-
designate Tunku Abdul Rahman arrived at 11:58 p.m. and joined members of the Alliance Party's
youth divisions in observing two minutes of darkness.[6] On the stroke of midnight, the lights were
switched back on, and the Union Flag in the square was lowered as the royal anthem God Save The
Queen.[7] 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.[6][7] Tunku Abdul Rahman later gave a speech
hailing the ceremony as the "greatest moment in the life of the Malayan people".[6] Before giving
the address to the crowd, he was given a necklace by representatives of the Alliance Party youth in
honour of this great occasion in history, with a map of Malaya inscribed on it. The event ended at
one in the morning the next day.

On the morning of 31 August 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.
[8] The Queen's representative, the Duke of Gloucester presented Tunku Abdul Rahman with the
instrument of independence.[8] 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 by a military band and a 21-gun salute, followed by an azan call and a
thanksgiving prayer in honour of this great occasion.[8]

The day followed with the solemn installation of the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul
Rahman of Negeri Sembilan, at Jalan Ampang, and the first installation banquet in his honour in the
evening followed by a beating retreat performance and a fireworks display. Sports events and other
events marked the birth of the new nation.

Attendees

The foreign guests of honour included:

Members of royal families

The King and Queen of Thailand

The Crown Prince and Princess of Japan

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester (representing The Queen)

Prince William of Gloucester

Heads of government

The Prime Minister South Africa, Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom

The Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy

The Prime Minister of Vietnam, Phạm Văn Đồng

The Prime Minister of Ceylon, Solomon Bandaranaike

The Prime Minister of Burma, U Nu

The Prime Minister of Cambodia, Sim Var

The United States Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles (representing US President Dwight D.
Eisenhower)

Representatives from other British colonies

The Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Alexander Grantham

The Chief Minister of Singapore, Lim Yew Hock

Members of the former British colonial administration

Sir Gerald Templer (former British High Commissioner in Malaya) and Lady Templer

Lady Gurney (wife of former British High Commissioner in Malaya Sir Henry Gurney)

Lady Gent (wife of former British High Commissioner in Malaya Sir Edward Gent)

High Commissioners of other Commonwealth countries

High Commissioner of Canada to Malaya, Arthur Redpath Menzies

High Commissioner of Australia to Malaya, Tom Critchley

High Commissioner of New Zealand to Malaya, Foss Shanahan

The formation of Malaysia

The Federation of Malaysia, comprising the Federation of Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak and
Singapore, was officially declared on 31 August 1963, on the 6th anniversary of Malayan
independence. However, it was postponed to 16 September 1963, mainly due to Indonesian and the
Philippines' opposition to the formation of Malaysia. Nevertheless, North Borneo and Singapore
declared sovereignty on 31 August 1963. Indonesian opposition later escalated to a military conflict.
Indonesia considered Malaysia as a new form of colonisation on the provinces of Sarawak and North
Borneo in the island of Borneo (bordering Kalimantan, Indonesia). However, they did not lay claim
upon the two territories, unlike the Philippines' claim on the eastern part of Sabah (rather than the
whole of North Borneo).[9] To assure Indonesia that Malaysia was not a form of neocolonialism, a
general survey (instead of a referendum) was organised by the United Nations involving interviews
of approximately 4,000 people, which received 2,200 memorandums from groups and private
individuals. The Cobbold Commission, led by Lord Cobbold, was also formed to determine whether
the people of North Borneo 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 16 September 1963, as
Malaysia Day. The nationwide Independence Day celebration is still held on 31 August, 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 31 August is too Malaya-centric.[10][11][12] In
2009, it was decided that starting 2010, Malaysia Day would be a nationwide public holiday in
addition to Hari Merdeka on 31 August.[13]

Themes

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citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.

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Year Theme

1970 Muhibbah dan Perpaduan

(Goodwill 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 20 Tahun Bersatu Maju

(20 Years 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, Progressively Striving)

1988-1989 Bersatu

(United)

1990 Berjaya

(Successful)

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 Penantu 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)

2000–2005 Keranamu Malaysia

(Because of you, Malaysia)

2006 Keranamu Malaysia: Misi Nasional, Penjaya Wawasan

(Because of you, Malaysia: National Mission, Visionary Generator)

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: Successful Transformations, Prosperous Citizens)

2012 55 Tahun Merdeka: Janji Ditepati

(55 Years of Independence: Promises Fulfilled)

2013 Malaysiaku Berdaulat, Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku

(My Sovereign Malaysia, The Land Where My Blood Has Spilt)

2014 Malaysia, Di Sini Lahirnya Sebuah Cinta

(Malaysia, Here Is Where Love Begins)

2015–2016 Malaysia, Sehati Sejiwa

(United, Unified Malaysia)

2017 Negaraku Sehati Sejiwa

(My Country, United and Unified)

2018 Sayangi Malaysiaku

(Love My Malaysia)

2019 Sayangi Malaysiaku: Malaysia Bersih

(Love My Malaysia: A Clean Malaysia)

The 2012 theme proved to be controversial, as it was seen by many Malaysians to be a political
slogan rather than a patriotic one (Janji Ditepati was Najib Razak's campaign jingle in the run-up to
the 2013 elections). The official "logo" was also ridiculed for its unconventional design. A video of
the theme song uploaded on YouTube (with lyrics penned by Rais Yatim) garnered an overwhelming
number of "dislikes" because of its overtly political content, which had nothing to do with the spirit
of independence. The video has since been taken down.[14]

Google doodle

On 31 August 2019, Google celebrated Malaysia’s Independence Day, the 'Hari Merdeka' with a
Doodle depicting national flower. The accompanying write up read as, "Today’s Doodle depicts
Malaysia’s national flower in honor of Malaysia’s Independence Day, known locally as Hari Merdeka.
On this day in 1957, the Federation of Malaya became a sovereign state after many years of British
rule. Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's first Chief Minister, read an official declaration at Kuala
Lumpur’s Stadium Merdeka before a crowd of some 20,000 people."[15][16]

2015 Hari Merdeka Anniversary Issues

Starting from 2015, as stated by the Minister of Communication and Multimedia Ahmad Shabery
Cheek, the Independence Day celebration is likely to be held without mentioning the number of
years to prevent the people in Sabah and Sarawak from being isolated if the number of
independence anniversaries was stated.[17] However, the Minister of Land Development of Sarawak
Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing reminded that since 16 September had been declared as
Malaysia Day, it should be the rallying point for the nation's unity. He added "Everyone now knows
that 31 August is Malaya's and Sabah's Independence Day… it's not our (Sarawak) independence
day. They can celebrate it both in Malaya and in Sabah as they have the same Independence Day
date, and we can join them there if they invite us. We must right the wrong". Masing was
commenting on Shabery Cheek's recent proposal that Malaysia should continue to commemorate 31
August as its Independence Day, without mentioning the anniversary year.[4]

Before 16 September, there was no Malaysia. Let everyone remember that. It's on 16 September
that the four independent countries namely Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and North Borneo agreed
to form Malaysia. And as everyone also knows, Singapore expelled by Malaysia in 1965.

— James Masing

These arguments are however, ignorant with the fact that legally, Hari Merdeka is the official
independence day of 'the federation' as defined in the Article 160 of the Constitution of Malaysia.
'The federation' here is defined in the same article as the federation that was established under
Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957, not the Malaysia Agreement 1963.[1] In 1963, 'the
Federation', then named the Federation of Malaya, was further enlarged and renamed 'Malaysia',
when the existing states of Malaya were merged with North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore.[18]

See also

Sarawak Self-government Day

North Borneo Self-government Day

20-point agreement (Sabah)

18-point agreement (Sarawak)

Malaysia Day

Hari Kemerdekaan Republik Indonesia, a national holiday celebrated every 17 August,

commemorating the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence from Dutch rule

History of Malaysia

Singapore in Malaysia

Peninsular Malaysia

Hari Merdeka Parade

References

Chin, James; Harding, Andrew (2015), 50 Years of Malaysia: Federalism Revisited, Marshall
Cavendish International, p. 10, ISBN 978-9814561242

Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud (2011), "A Reflection on Malaysia's Journey Since Independence",
Malaysia and The European Union - Perspectives for the Twenty-First Century (Freiburg Studies in
Social Anthropology / Freiburger Sozialanthropologische Studien), LIT Verlag: 9, ISBN 978-
3643800855

Adrian Lim Chee En (30 August 2016). "Stop celebrating 'Hari Merdeka Malaysia'". Malaysiakini.
Retrieved 28 August 2019.

Peter Sibon and Karen Bong (11 September 2014). "Emphasis should be on Sept 16 not Aug 31". The
Borneo Post. Archived from the original on 15 September 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2014.

Malaysia Act 1963

"1957: Malaya celebrates independence". BBC. 31 August 1957. Retrieved 24 April 2011.

"Detik Jam Tengah Malam Di Padang Kelab Selangor" (in Malay). National Archive of Malaysia.
Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2011.

"Pengisytiharan Kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu" (in Malay). National Archives of Malaysia. Archived
from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2011.

Manila Accord (31 July 1963)

Merdeka celebration in Kuching Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine

"Keadilan's plans for Merdeka" Archived 26 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Daily
Express, 29 August 2007.

Aznam, Suhaini, "Celebrating Malaysia Day", 24 September 2007.

Yeng Ai Chun (19 October 2009). "Malaysia Day now a public holiday, says PM". The Star. Retrieved
18 September 2014.

"Rais seeks views on Merdeka theme song", Malaysiakini, 1 August 2012.

"Hari Merdeka 2019". Google. 31 August 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2019.

"Our Merdeka, Our Malaysia ― Ramkarpal Singh". Malay Mail. 31 August 2019. Retrieved 31 August
2019.

"No more mentioning number of years". Daily Express. 9 September 2014. Archived from the
original on 9 September 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2014.

Malaysia Act 1963

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Merdeka Day.

Wikisource has original text related to this article:

Malayan Proclamation of Independence

Merdeka proclamation on YouTube video

Theme and Logo for Hari Kebangsaan

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Malaysia Public holidays in Malaysia

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Malaysia articles

Categories: August observancesIndependence daysBritish Malaya1957 in MalayaMalaysian

IndependencePublic holidays in Malaysia

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