| Independence Day | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Children waving the Malaysian flag on Independence Day in 2012 | |
| Official name | Hari Merdeka orHari Kemerdekaan |
| Also called | National Day (Hari Kebangsaan) |
| Observed by | Malaysians |
| Type | National |
| Significance | Marks the independence of theFederation of Malaya |
| Celebrations | Malaysian Independence Day parade |
| Date | 31 August |
| Next time | 31 August 2026 (2026-08-31) |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Part of the Independence of Malaya | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Independence Day (Malay:Hari Merdeka), also known asNational Day (Malay:Hari Kebangsaan), is theindependence day of theFederation of Malaya from theUnited Kingdom.[1][2] It commemorates theMalayan Declaration of Independence of 31 August 1957, and is defined inarticle 160 of the Constitution of Malaysia.[3] The day is marked by official and unofficial ceremonies and observances across the country.
The observation of 31 August as Malaysia's national day is the cause of some controversy, especially amongEast Malaysians, with calls to prioritise the celebration ofMalaysia Day (Hari Malaysia) on 16 September instead. Malaysia Day commemorates the formation of Malaysia in 1963,[4] when the four entities ofNorth Borneo,Sarawak,Singapore andMalaya federated to form Malaysia as part of theMalaysia Agreement.[5]
East Malaysians argue that it is illogical to celebrate 31 August 1957 as Malaysia's national day when Malaysia was only established in 1963, and that the "Federation of Malaya" was a different entity.[6][7] Supporters ofHari Merdeka argue that "the Federation" as defined in article 160 of the Malaysian constitution is the same "Federation of Malaya" that was first established in 1948 and when it ceased to be a British protectorate on 31 August 1957.[3]
The effort for independence was spearheaded byTunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the firstPrime Minister of Malaysia, who led a delegation of ministers and political leaders of Malaya in negotiations with the British in London forMerdeka, or independence along with the first president of theMalaysian Chinese Association (MCA)Tun Dato Sri Tan Cheng Lock and fifth President of Malaysian Indian CongressTun V. T. Sambanthan.[8] Once unity between Malay, Indian, and Chinese peoples was achieved, anagreement was reached on 8 February 1956,[9] for Malaya to gain independence from the British Empire. However, logistical and administrative reasons led to the officialproclamation of independence in the next year, on 31 August 1957, atStadium Merdeka (Independence Stadium), inKuala Lumpur, which was purposely built for the celebrations of the national independence day. The announcement of the day was set months earlier by Tunku Abdul Rahman in a meeting of the Alliance in Malacca in February 1957.[10]
On the night of 30 August 1957, more than 20,000 people gathered atMerdeka Square (DataranMerdeka) inKuala Lumpur to witness the handover of power from the British. Prime Minister-designateTunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj arrived at 11:58 p.m. and joined members of theAlliance Party's youth divisions in observing two minutes of darkness.[11] On the stroke of midnight, the lights were switched back on, and theUnion Flag in the square was lowered as the royal anthemGod Save the Queen played.[12] The newFlag of Malaya was raised as the national anthemNegaraku was played. This was followed by seven chants of "Merdeka" by the crowd.[11][12] Tunku Abdul Rahman later gave a speech hailing the ceremony as the "greatest moment in the life of the Malayan people".[11] 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.
On the morning of 31 August 1957, the festivities moved to the newly completedMerdeka 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.[13]The Queen's representative, theDuke of Gloucester presented Tunku Abdul Rahman with the instrument of independence.[13] Tunku then proceeded to read theProclamation 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 amilitary band and a21-gun salute, followed by anazan call and a thanksgiving prayer in honour of this great occasion.[13]
The day followed with the solemn installation of the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong, TuankuAbdul 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.
The foreign guests of honour included:
The Federation of Malaysia, comprising the states of theFederation of Malaya,North Borneo,Sarawak andSingapore, was officially declared on 31 August 1963, on the sixth anniversary of Malayan independence. However, the declaration was postponed to 16 September 1963, mainly due to opposition from Indonesia and the Philippines. Nevertheless, North Borneo and Singapore declared sovereignty on 31 August 1963. Indonesian opposition later escalated into amilitary conflict. Indonesia viewed Malaysia as a new form of colonisation over Sarawak and North Borneo, both of which bordered Indonesian territory on Borneo, although it did not lay claim to the territories. In contrast, thePhilippines claimed the eastern part of Sabah.
To assure Indonesia that Malaysia was not a form ofneocolonialism, theUnited Nations (UN) conducted a general survey rather than a referendum, involving interviews with approximately 4,000 people and receiving 2,200 memorandums from groups and private individuals. TheCobbold Commission, led byCameron Cobbold, 1st Baron Cobbold, was also established to determine whether the people ofNorth Borneo andSarawak wished to join Malaysia. The Commission's eventual findings indicated substantial support for the formation of Malaysia among the peoples of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners, paving the way for the final proclamation of Malaysia.[14]
The formation of the Federation of Malaysia was announced on 16 September 1963, the anniversary of which is celebrated asMalaysia Day.Hari Merdeka continued to be celebrated on 31 August, the original independence date of Malaya, while Malaysia Day became a public holiday only inEast Malaysia. This caused discontent among East Malaysians in particular, with some feeling that celebrating the national day on 31 August is Malaya–centric and overlooks East Malaysia's role in the formation of the country.[15][16][17]
In 2009, it was decided that starting in 2010,Malaysia Day would be a nationwide public holiday in addition toHari Merdeka on 31 August.[18]
| Year | Theme |
|---|---|
| 1970 | Muhibah dan Perpaduan[19] (Goodwill and Unity) |
| 1971 | Masyarakat Progresif[20] (Progressive Society) |
| 1972 | Masyarakat Adil[20] (Fair Society) |
| 1973 | Masyarakat Berkebudayaan Malaysia[20] (A Society with Malaysian Culture) |
| 1974 | Sains dan Teknologi Alat Perpaduan[20] (Science and Technology as Tools of Unity) |
| 1975 | Masyarakat Berdikari[20] (A Self-Reliant Society) |
| 1976 | Ketahanan Rakyat (Strength of the People) |
| 1977 | 20 Tahun Bersatu Maju[20] (20 Years United and Progressive) |
| 1978 | Kebudayaan Sendi Perpaduan (Culture is the Core of Unity) |
| 1979 | Bersatu Berdisplin (United and Disciplined) |
| 1980 | Berdisplin Berbakti[20] (Discipline and Service) |
| 1981 | Berdisplin Berharmoni[20] (Discipline and Harmony) |
| 1982 | Berdisplin Giat Maju[20] (Discipline Creates Progress) |
| 1983 | Bersama Ke Arah Kemajuan (Together Towards Success) |
| 1984 | Amanah Asas Kejayaan[20] (Honesty Brings Success) |
| 1985 | Nasionalisme Teras Perpaduan[20] (Nationalism is the Core of Unity) |
| 1986 | Bangsa Tegas Negara Teguh[20] (Steadfast Society, Strong Country) |
| 1987 | Setia Bersatu Berusaha Maju[20] (Loyally United, Progressively Striving) |
| 1988–1989 | Bersatu[20] (United) |
| 1990 | Berjaya[20] (Successful) |
| 1991 | Wawasan 2020[20] (Vision 2020) |
| 1992 | Wawasan Asas Kemajuan[20] (Vision is the Basis of Progress) |
| 1993 | Bersatu Menuju Wawasan[20] (Together Towards Vision) |
| 1994 | Nilai Murni Jayakan Wawasan[20] (Good Values Makes the Vision a Success) |
| 1995 | Jatidiri Pengerak Wawasan[20] (Steadfastness Moves the Vision Forward) |
| 1996 | Budaya Penantu Kecapaian[20] (Culture Determines Achievements) |
| 1997 | Akhlak Mulia Masyarakat Jaya[20] (Good Values Make a Successful Society) |
| 1998 | Negara Kita, Tanggungjawab Kita[20] (Our Country, Our Responsibility) |
| 1999 | Bersatu Ke Alaf Baru[20] (Together Towards the New Millennium) |
| 2000–2005 | Keranamu Malaysia[20] (Because of you, Malaysia) |
| 2006 | Keranamu Malaysia: Misi Nasional, Penjaya Wawasan[20] (Because of you, Malaysia: National Mission, Visionary Generator) |
| 2007 | Malaysiaku Gemilang[20] (My Glorious Malaysia) |
| 2008 | Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan[20] (Unity Is The Core of Success) |
| 2009 | 1 Malaysia: Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan[20] (1 Malaysia: People First, Performance Now) |
| 2010 | 1 Malaysia: Menjana Transformasi[20] (1 Malaysia: Transforming the Nation) |
| 2011 | 1 Malaysia: Transformasi Berjaya, Rakyat Sejahtera[20] (1 Malaysia: Successful Transformations, Prosperous Citizens) |
| 2012 | 55 Tahun Merdeka: Janji Ditepati[20] (55 Years of Independence: Promises Fulfilled) |
| 2013 | Malaysiaku Berdaulat, Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku[20] (My Sovereign Malaysia, The Land Where My Blood Has Spilt) |
| 2014 | Malaysia, Di Sini Lahirnya Sebuah Cinta[21] (Malaysia, Here Is Where Love Begins) |
| 2015–2016 | Malaysia, Sehati Sejiwa[22] (United, Unified Malaysia) |
| 2017 | Negaraku Sehati Sejiwa (My Country, United and Unified) |
| 2018 | Sayangi Malaysiaku[23] (Love My Malaysia) |
| 2019 | Sayangi Malaysiaku: Malaysia Bersih[24] (Love My Malaysia: A Clean Malaysia) |
| 2020–2021 | Malaysia Prihatin[25] (Concerned Malaysia) |
| 2022 | Keluarga Malaysia Teguh Bersama[26] (Malaysian Family: Stronger Together) |
| 2023 | Malaysia MADANI: Tekad Perpaduan, Penuhi Harapan[27] (Civilised Malaysia: Determination of Unity, Fulfilling Hope) |
| 2024 | Malaysia MADANI: Jiwa Merdeka[28] (Civilised Malaysia: Independent Soul) |
| 2025 | Malaysia MADANI: Rakyat Disantuni[29] (Civilised Malaysia: The People Are Respected) |
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, which meant "Promises Fulfilled", wasNajib Razak's campaign jingle in the run-up to the2013 elections). The official "logo" was also ridiculed for its unconventional design. A video of the theme song uploaded on YouTube (with lyrics penned byRais 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.[30]
The 2020 Malaysia Prihatin theme had been chosen because of theCOVID-19 pandemic and in recognition of the caring and concerned of all Malaysian.[25] In 2021, despite the theme and logo remained the same, but the theme song changed fromMalaysia Prihatin (sung by Aliff Satar, Syamel, Siti Sarah, and Aina Abdul for original version, and Ernie Zakri for symphony version) toMenang Bersama (sung byFaizal Tahir), symbolizing the National Recovery Plan(Pelan Pemulihan Negara) theme,Malaysia Menang Bersama (English:Malaysia Winning Together).
2022 marks the first parade to be held after 2 years of hiatus caused by the pandemic, which was themed Keluarga Malaysia Teguh Bersama. A number of nearly 20,000 participants of various contingents involved in the parade.[31] In 2023, the theme for Malaysia's Independence Day is 'Malaysia Madani: Determination in Unity, Fulfilling Hope'. The theme was selected to strengthen the spirit of unity and to achieve the shared aspirations for a stronger Malaysia by government ofAnwar Ibrahim.
Legally,Hari Merdeka is the official independence day of 'the federation' as defined in theArticle 160 of the Constitution of Malaysia, which was that established under theFederation of Malaya Agreement 1957.[3] However, beginning in 2015, in a policy announced by the then Minister of Communication and MultimediaAhmad Shabery Cheek,Hari Merdeka celebrations are to be held without mentioning the number of years since independence. This is to be more inclusive of Sabah and Sarawak, who left British rule in a different year.[32]
The Minister of Land Development of Sarawak, the lateJames Jemut Masing, responded to this announcement by stating that Malaysia Day on 16 September should be the rallying point for the nation's unity, rather thanHari Merdeka. He added "Everyone now knows that 31 August is Malaya's andSabah'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".[7]
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.
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| National holidays | |
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| State holidays (differ by states) |
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