Hari Merdeka
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Hari Merdeka (Independence Day) is a national day of Malaysia commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule. In a wider context, it is to celebrate the formation of Malaysia.[citation needed]
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[edit] Malaya Independence
The effort for independence was spearheaded by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, 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. 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.
[edit] Guests of Honour
When Malaya celebrated its first Independence Day, new hotels were built everywhere in Kuala Lumpur to accommodate the huge foreign delegation invited by the Government of the Federation of Malaya to witness the historical day.
The first batch of foreign representatives to Malaya were:
- King and Queen of Thailand
- Crown Prince and Princess of Japan
- Johannes Gerhardus Strijdom, Prime Minister of South Africa
- Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India
- Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Prime Minister of Pakistan
- Pham Van Dong, Prime Minister of Vietnam
- Solomon Bandaranaike, Prime Minister of Ceylon
- U Nu, Prime Minister of Burma
- Sim Var, Prime Minnister of Cambodia
- Sir Alexander Grantham, Governor of Hong Kong
- John Foster Dulles, US Secretary of State
- High Commissioners of Australia, Canada and New Zealand
- Lim Yew Hock, Chief Minister of Singapore
- Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (represent Queen Elizabeth II), Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester and Prince William of Gloucester
- Sir Gerald Templer (former British High Commissioner in Malaya)
- Lady Gurney and Lady Gent (wives of former British High Commissioners in Malaya).
Upon arriving at the Sungei Besi Airport, the guests of honour were welcomed by the British High Commissioner in Malaya, Sir Donald Charles MacGillivray and Lady MacGillivray, the First Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaya, Tuanku Abdul Rahman accompanied by the Raja Pemaisuri Agong and the first Prime Minister of Malaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman.
[edit] Theme and Logo
In nearly every year, a brand new theme and logo were made for the celebration of the Independence Day of Malaysia.
| Year | Theme | Logo |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Muhibah dan Perpaduan (Love and Unity) | none |
| 1971 | Masyarakat Progresif (Progressive Society) | none |
| 1972 | Masyarakat Adil (Fair Society) | none |
| 1973 | Masyarakat Berkebudayaan Malaysia (A Society with Malaysian Culture) | none |
| 1974 | Sains dan Teknologi Alat Perpaduan (Science and Technology as Tools of Unity) | none |
| 1975 | Masyarakat Berdikari (A Self-Reliant Society) | none |
| 1976 | Ketahanan Rakyat (Strength of the People) | |
| 1977 | Bersatu Maju (United and Progresive) | |
| 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 and Progressively Working) | |
| 1988 | Bersatu (Unity) | |
| 1989 | Bersatu (Unity) | |
| 1990 | Berjaya (Success) | |
| 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 Penentu 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) | |
| 2000-2006 | Keranamu: MALAYSIA (Because of you: MALAYSIA) | |
| 2007 | Malaysiaku Gemilang (My Glorious Malaysia) |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Merdeka proclaimation on YouTube video
- History of Sarawak
- Theme and Logo for Hari Kebangsaan
- 2007 Merdeka Dayde:Hari Merdeka
ms:Pengisytiharan Kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu
