Independence & Malaysia day

Independence & Malaysia day

National Day is celebrated every year in Malaysia on the 31st of August to commemorate the momentous occasion when the Federation of Malaya achieved independence from British rule in 1957. On the 30th of August, Malaysia’s then Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman took to the Royal Selangor Club Padang, now known as the Merdeka square at 11.58pm and observed two minutes of darkness. At the stroke of midnight, the Union Jack was lowered and raised with the Flag of Malaya. The morning after, Tunku Abdul Rahman read aloud the Proclaimation of Independence, followed by seven chants of Merdeka, with the crown at the square joining following each chant. The moment is considered to be one of Malaysia’s most memorable and significant points in history.

National Day shouldn’t be confused with Malaysia Day, which is celebrated on September 16 and declared an official public holiday since 2010. Malaysia Day marks the day where Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore and Malaya had joined together to form the federation of Malaysia, although Singapore has since become its own country.

For this year, I celebrate National day at Padang Kota Lama which is located at Penang. There too many people at there. Padang Kota is a tourist attraction. so many tourists were there that night.

On the night of independence, the padang kota looks lively with many people. there was a dance show dance, a show and so on. On the eve of the evening, there is a fireworks show. I am excited to be one of the malaysian children.

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 Malaya-centric. Unfortunately, but technically, MALAYSIA was officially born on the 16th of September 1963 and not the 31st of August. Prior to that it was not "Malaysia", it was "Malaya". Politically and geographically they are two different entities.

Even though this is a "technicality", it is also a fact. Therefore the 2007 celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Malaysia's independence is technically wrong. Simple statement of fact. Nothing controversial in technical terms.

To be technically correct the 31st of August should be celebrated as a commemorative day of "Independence from the British", while the 16th of September should be celebrated as the National Day: the formation of Malaysia.

Last but not least, I am so proud to be a Malaysian. Malaysia is a country that I should proud because their sacrifice in the past that fought the homeland