Independence day(Hari Merdeka) 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. 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.[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]

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] 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 of 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, Pham Van Dong 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 The High Commissioners of Australia, Canada and New Zealand in Malaya

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)

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.
[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] Theme

Year

Theme

Muhibah dan Perpaduan 1970 (Love and Unity)

Masyarakat Progresif 1971 (Progressive Society)

Masyarakat Adil 1972 (Fair Society)

Masyarakat Berkebudayaan Malaysia 1973 (A Society with Malaysian Culture)

Sains dan Teknologi Alat Perpaduan 1974 (Science and Technology as Tools of Unity)

Masyarakat Berdikari 1975 (A Self-Reliant Society)

Ketahanan Rakyat 1976 (Strength of the People)

Bersatu Maju 1977 (United and Progressive)

Kebudayaan Sendi Perpaduan 1978 (Culture is the Core of Unity)

Bersatu Berdisplin 1979 (United and Disciplined)

Berdisplin Berbakti 1980 (Discipline and Service)

Berdisplin Berharmoni 1981 (Discipline and Harmony)

Berdisplin Giat Maju 1982 (Discipline Creates Progress)

Bersama Ke Arah Kemajuan 1983 (Together Towards Success)

Amanah Asas Kejayaan 1984 (Honesty Brings Success)

Nasionalisme Teras Perpaduan 1985 (Nationalism is the Core of Unity)

Bangsa Tegas Negara Teguh 1986 (Steadfast Society, Strong Country)

Setia Bersatu Berusaha Maju 1987 (Loyally United and Progressively Working)

Bersatu 1988 (Unity)

Bersatu 1989 (Unity)

Berjaya 1990 (Success)

Wawasan 2020 1991 (Vision 2020)

Wawasan Asas Kemajuan 1992 (Vision is the Basis of Progress)

Bersatu Menuju Wawasan 1993 (Together Towards Vision)

Nilai Murni Jayakan Wawasan 1994 (Good Values Makes the Vision a Success)

Jatidiri Pengerak Wawasan 1995 (Steadfastness Moves the Vision Forward)

Budaya Penentu Kecapaian 1996 (Culture Determines Achievements )

Akhlak Mulia Masyarakat Jaya 1997 (Good Values Make a Successful Society)

Negara Kita, Tanggungjawab Kita 1998 (Our Country, Our Responsibility)

Bersatu Ke Alaf Baru 1999 (Together Towards the New Millennium)

2000 2006

Keranamu Malaysia (Because of you, Malaysia)

Malaysiaku Gemilang 2007 (My Glorious Malaysia)

Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan 2008 (Unity Is The Core of Success)

1 Malaysia: Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian 2009 Diutamakan (1 Malaysia: People First, Performance Now)

1 Malaysia: Menjana Transformasi 2010 (1 Malaysia Transforming the Nation)

1 Malaysia: Transformasi Berjaya, Rakyat Sejahtera 2011 (1 Malaysia: Transformation Success, People Peace)

55 Tahun Merdeka: Janji Ditepati 2012 (55 Years of Independence: Promises Fulfilled)

The 2012 theme has proven to be controversial, as it is seen by many Malaysians to be a political slogan rather than a patriotic

one. 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) has garnered an overwhelming number of "dislikes" because of its overtly political content, which had nothing to do with the spirit of independence.