Malaysian Independence Day

Independence Day in Malaysia is known as ‘Hari Merdeka’.  This celebration of Malaysian independence is a designated a public holiday and falls on 31^st August every year. Also known as national day or ‘Hari Kebangsaan’, this day which commemorates Malaysian independence from British colonial rule is celebrated with much enthusiasm all over the country. However, when the event coincides with the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadhan, the celebrations are naturally a muted.

The epicenter of all the Hari Merdeka festivities is the Malaysian capital city, Kuala Lumpur. This is because it was here in Kuala Lumpur, that the formal declaration of independence from the British was made at the stroke of midnight on 31^st August 1957.  The Malaysian independence struggle began in the early in 1950’s and was headed by a political leader from Kedah, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Tunku along with various other political leaders repeatedly petitioned the British government for Malaysian independence. The leaders of the movement even flew to London to present their case. The British government ultimately relented after much negotiation and granted Malaysia its independence in 1956.

However, the official declaration of independence was made at the stroke of the midnight hour at the Padang (cricketing green) of the Royal Selangor Golf Club situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.  As the clock struck midnight, the Union Jack was lowered and the new flag of Malaysia was raised as the Malaysian national anthem ‘Negaraku’ played. Huge crowds had assembled on the Padang to witness this historic event and they went on to chant Tunku’s rallying cry for freedom ‘Merdeka’ (freedom) seven times. Tunku Abdul Rahman, who had been elected the Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya in 1955, then went on to give a speech during which he described the historic ceremony as ‘the greatest moment in the life of the Malayan people.’

The next day, the morning of August 31^st, 1957, the festivities moved on to the newly- built Merdeka stadium located close by.  Here in front a crowd comprising 20,000 people and several foreign dignitaries and heads of state, Tunku Abdul Rahman read out the Proclamation of Independence, which had been handed to him by the Duke of Gloucester, the representative of the Queen of England. As soon as he finished his reading, the huge crowd went on to thunder “Merdeka” seven times as the newly-born nation’s flag was raised and the national anthem was sung. A 21 rifle salute followed along with the Muslim call to prayer and a Thanksgiving prayer.

Nowadays, the celebration of Malaysian Independence features much pomp and ceremony.  All major cities organize festivities for this day that has come to symbolize national pride. However, perhaps the grandest celebration is reserved for  Kuala Lumpur where flags and fireworks displays mark the event and a grand parade is rolled out at the  Padang, which has been rechristened Dataran Merdeka or Independence Square.