Independence Day (Malaysia)

{{Short description|Holiday on 31 August}} {{Use British English|date=July 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}} {{Infobox holiday |holiday_name = Independence Day |type = national |image = Merdeka 55 2012 (7900478686).jpg |caption = Children waving the Malaysian flag on Independence Day in 2012 |alt = A large crowd of boys in red shirts and caps waving Malaysian flags |official_name = {{lang|ms|Hari Merdeka}} or {{lang|ms|Hari Kemerdekaan}} |nickname = National Day ({{lang|ms|Hari Kebangsaan}}) |observedby = Malaysians |litcolor = |longtype = National |significance = Marks the independence of the Federation of Malaya |duration = 1 day |frequency = Annual |scheduling = same day each year |date = 31 August |celebrations = Malaysian Independence Day parade |relatedto = }} {{History of Malaysia}} {{Independence of Malaya}}

'''Independence Day''' ({{langx|ms|Hari Merdeka}}), also known as '''National Day''' ({{langx|ms|Hari Kebangsaan}}), is the independence day of the Federation of Malaya from the United Kingdom.<ref>[https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/family/2021/08/27/starchild-malaysian-children-are-in-high-spirits-to-celebrate-merdeka-day "Starchild: Malaysian children are in high spirits to celebrate Merdeka Day."] ''The Star.'' 27 August 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.</ref><ref>Adila Sharinni Wahid. [https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/158685/KHAS/Cerita-Merdeka/Ceriakan-anak-anak-polis-pada-Hari-Merdeka "Ceriakan anak-anak polis pada Hari Merdeka."] ''Sinar Harian.'' 31 August 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021. {{in lang|ms}}</ref> It commemorates the Malayan Declaration of Independence of 31 August 1957, and is defined in article 160 of the Constitution of Malaysia.<ref name="James Chin & Andrew Harding">{{citation | last1 = Chin | first1 = James | last2 = Harding | first2 = Andrew | title = 50 Years of Malaysia: Federalism Revisited | publisher = Marshall Cavendish International | year = 2015 | isbn = 978-9814561242 | page = 10}}</ref> 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 among East Malaysians, with calls to prioritise the celebration of Malaysia Day ({{lang|ms|Hari Malaysia}}) on 16 September instead. Malaysia Day commemorates the formation of Malaysia in 1963,<ref>{{Citation|author=Wan Mohd Nor Wan Daud|title=A Reflection on Malaysia's Journey Since Independence|journal=Malaysia and the European Union – Perspectives for the Twenty-First Century (Freiburg Studies in Social Anthropology / Freiburger Sozialanthropologische Studien)|year=2011|isbn=978-3643800855|publisher=LIT Verlag|page=9}}</ref> when the four entities of North Borneo, Sarawak, Singapore and Malaya federated to form Malaysia as part of the Malaysia Agreement.<ref>[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1963/35/section/1 Malaysia Act 1963]</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/354039|title=Stop celebrating 'Hari Merdeka Malaysia'|access-date=28 August 2019|author=Adrian Lim Chee En|date=30 August 2016|publisher=Malaysiakini}}</ref><ref name="James Masing"/> Supporters of ''Hari 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.<ref name="James Chin & Andrew Harding"/>

== Events leading up to 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 along with the first president of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) Tun Dato Sri Tan Cheng Lock and fifth President of Malaysian Indian Congress Tun V. T. Sambanthan.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mahmood.|first=Ibrahim|title=Sejarah perjuangan bangsa Melayu : suatu penyingkapan kembali sejarah perjuangan bangsa Melayu menuju kemerdekaan.|date=1981|publisher=Pustaka Antara, Kuala Lumpur|oclc=959796594}}</ref> Once unity between Malay, Indian, and Chinese peoples was achieved, an agreement was reached on 8 February 1956,<ref>{{Cite web|title=MyGOV – The Government of Malaysia's Official Portal|url=https://www.malaysia.gov.my/portal/content/30120|access-date=26 July 2021|website=www.malaysia.gov.my}}</ref> for Malaya to gain independence from the British Empire. However, logistical and administrative reasons led to the official proclamation of independence in the next year, on 31 August 1957, at Stadium Merdeka (Independence Stadium), in Kuala 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.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Pelancongan.|first=Malaysia. Kementerian Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan|title=Di atas runtuhan kota Melaka kita dirikan negara baru : pengisytiharan kemerdekaan di Bandar Hilir, Melaka, 20 Februari 1956.|date=2003|publisher=Kementerian Kebudayaan, Kesenian & Pelancongan, Malaysia dan Jabatan Muzium dan Antikuiti|oclc=607250142}}</ref>

==Independence Day (31 August 1957)== On the night of 30 August 1957, more than 20,000 people gathered at Merdeka Square (Dataran ''Merdeka'') in Kuala Lumpur to witness the handover of power from the British. Prime Minister-designate Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj arrived at 11:58 p.m. and joined members of the Alliance Party's youth divisions in observing two minutes of darkness.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |title=1957: Malaya celebrates independence |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/31/newsid_3534000/3534340.stm |publisher=BBC |access-date=24 April 2011 |date=31 August 1957}}</ref> On the stroke of midnight, the lights were switched back on, and the Union Flag in the square was lowered as the royal anthem ''God Save the Queen'' played.<ref name="night">{{cite web |title=Detik Jam Tengah Malam Di Padang Kelab Selangor |url=http://www.arkib.gov.my/padang_kelab_selangor |language=ms |publisher=National Archive of Malaysia |access-date=24 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007210716/http://www.arkib.gov.my/padang_kelab_selangor |archive-date=7 October 2011 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="bbc"/><ref name="night"/> Tunku Abdul Rahman later gave a speech hailing the ceremony as the "greatest moment in the life of the Malayan people".<ref name="bbc"/> 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 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.<ref name="declaration">{{cite web |title=Pengisytiharan Kemerdekaan Tanah Melayu |url=http://www.arkib.gov.my/pengisytiharan_kemerdekaan_tanah_melayu |language=ms |publisher=National Archives of Malaysia |access-date=24 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007210758/http://www.arkib.gov.my/pengisytiharan_kemerdekaan_tanah_melayu |archive-date=7 October 2011 }}</ref> The Queen's representative, the Duke of Gloucester presented Tunku Abdul Rahman with the instrument of independence.<ref name="declaration"/> 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 by a military band and a 21-gun salute, followed by an ''azan'' call and a thanksgiving prayer in honour of this great occasion.<ref name="declaration"/>

The day followed with the solemn installation of the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul 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.

===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 North Vietnam, Phạm Văn Đồng * 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 U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower) * The President of the Republic of Taiwan Provisional Government, Thomas Liao ;Representatives from other British colonies * The Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Alexander Grantham * The Chief Minister of Singapore, Lim Yew Hock ;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) ;High Commissioners of other Commonwealth countries: * High Commissioner of Canada to Malaya, Arthur Redpath Menzies * High Commissioner of Australia to Malaya, Tom Critchley * High Commissioner of New Zealand to Malaya, Foss Shanahan

==The formation of Malaysia== {{See also|History of Malaysia#Emergence of Malaysia}} The Federation of Malaysia, comprising the states of the Federation of Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore, 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 a military 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, the Philippines claimed the eastern part of Sabah.

To assure Indonesia that Malaysia was not a form of neocolonialism, the United 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. The Cobbold Commission, led by Cameron Cobbold, 1st Baron Cobbold, was also established to determine whether the people of North Borneo and Sarawak 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.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Saunders |first1=David R. |title='Brokering a postcolonial Malaysia: how local elites shaped the Cobbold Commission, 1961–63' |journal=Critical Military Studies |date=2 July 2024 |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=303–320 |doi=10.1080/23337486.2023.2268958 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/23337486.2023.2268958 |access-date=15 August 2025|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

===Malaysia Day=== The formation of the Federation of Malaysia was announced on 16 September 1963, the anniversary of which is celebrated as Malaysia Day. ''Hari Merdeka'' continued to be celebrated on 31 August, the original independence date of Malaya, while Malaysia Day became a public holiday only in East 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.<ref>[http://www.kennysia.com/archives/2006/08/merdeka_celebra.php Merdeka celebration in Kuching] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927222949/http://www.kennysia.com/archives/2006/08/merdeka_celebra.php |date=27 September 2007 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=52370 "Keadilan's plans for Merdeka"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926234447/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=52370 |date=26 September 2007 }}, ''Daily Express'', 29 August 2007.</ref><ref>Aznam, Suhaini, [https://web.archive.org/web/20090211214244/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2007%2F9%2F24%2Ffocus%2F18976180&sec=focus "Celebrating Malaysia Day"], 24 September 2007.</ref>

In 2009, it was decided that starting in 2010, Malaysia Day would be a nationwide public holiday in addition to ''Hari Merdeka'' on 31 August.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/story/?file=%2f2009%2f10%2f19%2fnation%2f20091019103509&sec=nation|title=Malaysia Day now a public holiday, says PM|author=Yeng Ai Chun|work=The Star|date=19 October 2009|access-date=18 September 2014|archive-date=29 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629225836/http://www.thestar.com.my/story/?file=%2f2009%2f10%2f19%2fnation%2f20091019103509&sec=nation|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Themes == {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Theme |- | 1970 | Muhibah dan Perpaduan<ref>''[http://rn50.arkib.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/eBook-rn50-2.pdf 50 Fakta Rukun Negara]{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}'' (PDF) (in Malay). National Archives of Malaysia. 2020. p. 45.</ref> (''Goodwill and Unity'') |- | 1971 | Masyarakat Progresif<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=kuazhar|title=Merdeka – Celebration Theme and Logo|url=https://library.uum.edu.my/merdeka-celebration-theme-and-logo/|access-date=26 July 2021|website=Perpustakaan Sultanah Bahiyah|language=en-US}}</ref> (''Progressive Society'') |- | 1972 | Masyarakat Adil<ref name=":0" /> (''Fair Society'') |- | 1973 | Masyarakat Berkebudayaan Malaysia<ref name=":0" /> (''A Society with Malaysian Culture'') |- | 1974 | Sains dan Teknologi Alat Perpaduan<ref name=":0" /> (''Science and Technology as Tools of Unity'') |- | 1975 | Masyarakat Berdikari<ref name=":0" /> (''A Self-Reliant Society'') |- | 1976 | Ketahanan Rakyat (''Strength of the People'') |- | 1977 | 20 Tahun Bersatu Maju<ref name=":0" /> (''20 Years United and Progressive'') |- | 1978 | Kebudayaan Sendi Perpaduan (''Culture is the Core of Unity'') |- | 1979 | Bersatu Berdisplin (''United and Disciplined'') |- | 1980 | Berdisplin Berbakti<ref name=":0" /> (''Discipline and Service'') |- | 1981 | Berdisplin Berharmoni<ref name=":0" /> (''Discipline and Harmony'') |- | 1982 | Berdisplin Giat Maju<ref name=":0" /> (''Discipline Creates Progress'') |- | 1983 | Bersama Ke Arah Kemajuan (''Together Towards Success'') |- | 1984 | Amanah Asas Kejayaan<ref name=":0" /> (''Honesty Brings Success'') |- | 1985 | Nasionalisme Teras Perpaduan<ref name=":0" /> (''Nationalism is the Core of Unity'') |- | 1986 | Bangsa Tegas Negara Teguh<ref name=":0" /> (''Steadfast Society, Strong Country'') |- | 1987 | Setia Bersatu Berusaha Maju<ref name=":0" /> (''Loyally United, Progressively Striving'') |- | 1988–1989 | Bersatu<ref name=":0" /> (''United'') |- | 1990 | Berjaya<ref name=":0" /> (''Successful'') |- | 1991 | Wawasan 2020<ref name=":0" /> (''Vision 2020'') |- | 1992 | Wawasan Asas Kemajuan<ref name=":0" /> (''Vision is the Basis of Progress'') |- | 1993 | Bersatu Menuju Wawasan<ref name=":0" /> (''Together Towards Vision'') |- | 1994 | Nilai Murni Jayakan Wawasan<ref name=":0" /> (''Good Values Makes the Vision a Success'') |- | 1995 | Jatidiri Pengerak Wawasan<ref name=":0" /> (''Steadfastness Moves the Vision Forward'') |- | 1996 | Budaya Penantu Kecapaian<ref name=":0" /> (''Culture Determines Achievements'') |- | 1997 | Akhlak Mulia Masyarakat Jaya<ref name=":0" /> (''Good Values Make a Successful Society'') |- | 1998 | Negara Kita, Tanggungjawab Kita<ref name=":0" /> (''Our Country, Our Responsibility'') |- | 1999 | Bersatu Ke Alaf Baru<ref name=":0" /> (''Together Towards the New Millennium'') |- | 2000–2005 | Keranamu Malaysia<ref name=":0" /> (''Because of you, Malaysia'') |- | 2006 | Keranamu Malaysia: Misi Nasional, Penjaya Wawasan<ref name=":0" /> (''Because of you, Malaysia: National Mission, Visionary Generator'') |- | 2007 | Malaysiaku Gemilang<ref name=":0" /> (''My Glorious Malaysia'') |- | 2008 | Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan<ref name=":0" /> (''Unity Is The Core of Success'') |- | 2009 | 1 Malaysia: Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan<ref name=":0" /> (''1 Malaysia: People First, Performance Now'') |- | 2010 | 1 Malaysia: Menjana Transformasi<ref name=":0" /> (''1 Malaysia: Transforming the Nation'') |- | 2011 | 1 Malaysia: Transformasi Berjaya, Rakyat Sejahtera<ref name=":0" /> (''1 Malaysia: Successful Transformations, Prosperous Citizens'') |- | 2012 | 55 Tahun Merdeka: Janji Ditepati<ref name=":0" /> (''55 Years of Independence: Promises Fulfilled'') |- | 2013 | Malaysiaku Berdaulat, Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku<ref name=":0" /> (''My Sovereign Malaysia, The Land Where My Blood Has Spilt'') |- | 2014 | Malaysia, Di Sini Lahirnya Sebuah Cinta<ref>{{Cite web|title=Di Sini Lahirnya Sebuah Cinta|url=https://www.umt.edu.my/index.php?go=highlight&id=103|access-date=26 July 2021|website=www.umt.edu.my}}</ref> ''(Malaysia, Here Is Where Love Begins)'' |- | 2015–2016 | Malaysia, Sehati Sejiwa<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bernama|date=1 July 2016|title=Cabinet retains 'Sehati, Sejiwa' National Day theme for 2016|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/347395|access-date=26 July 2021|website=Malaysiakini|language=en}}</ref> ''(United, Unified Malaysia)'' |- | 2017 | Negaraku Sehati Sejiwa ''(My Country, United and Unified)'' |- | 2018 | Sayangi Malaysiaku<ref>{{Cite web|title=United in celebrating Merdeka|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2018/08/20/united-in-celebrating-merdeka|access-date=26 July 2021|website=The Star|date=20 August 2018 |language=en}}</ref> ''(Love My Malaysia)'' |- | 2019 | Sayangi Malaysiaku: Malaysia Bersih<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bernama|date=24 July 2019|title='Love Our Malaysia: A Clean Malaysia' theme for Merdeka, M'sia Day|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/485259|access-date=26 July 2021|website=Malaysiakini|language=en}}</ref> ''(Love My Malaysia: A Clean Malaysia)'' |- | 2020–2021 |Malaysia Prihatin<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Malaysia Prihatin unveiled as the theme as PM launches Merdeka celebrations|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/07/28/malaysia-prihatin-unveiled-as-the-theme-as-pm-launches-merdeka-celebrations|access-date=26 July 2021|website=The Star|date=28 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref> ''(Concerned Malaysia)'' |- | 2022 |Keluarga Malaysia Teguh Bersama<ref>{{cite web |author1=GERARD GIMINO |title=National Day logo, theme symbolises strength and togetherness |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/07/01/national-day-logo-theme-symbolises-strength-and-togetherness |website=www.thestar.com.my |date=July 2022 |publisher=The Star (Malaysia) |access-date=1 July 2022 |language=en-}}</ref> ''(Malaysian Family: Stronger Together)'' |- | 2023 |Malaysia MADANI: Tekad Perpaduan, Penuhi Harapan<ref>{{cite web |title=Malaysia Madani logo selected as official logo for National Day and Malaysia Day 2023 – Fahmi |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/05/913870/malaysia-madani-logo-selected-official-logo-national-day-and-malaysia-day |website=New Straits Times |date=27 May 2023 |access-date=May 27, 2023 |language=en-MY}}</ref> ''(Civilised Malaysia: Determination of Unity, Fulfilling Hope)'' |- | 2024 |Malaysia MADANI: Jiwa Merdeka<ref>{{cite web |last1=IBRAHIM |first1=JUNAID |title=National Day and Malaysia Day Celebration shows multi-racial united Malaysia, says Fahmi |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/06/05/national-day-and-malaysia-day-celebration-shows-multi-racial-united-malaysia-says-fahmi |website=The Star |date=5 June 2024 |access-date=5 June 2024 |language=en-MY}}</ref> ''(Civilised Malaysia: Independent Soul)'' |- | 2025 |Malaysia MADANI: Rakyat Disantuni<ref>{{cite web |title=Kementerian, pejabat kerajaan wajib mainkan lagu 'Malaysia MADANI Rakyat Disantuni' - Fahmi |url=https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/kementerian-pejabat-kerajaan-wajib-mainkan-lagu-malaysia-madani-rakyat-disantuni-fahmi-531883 |website=Astro Awani |access-date=23 August 2025 |language=ms-MY |date=30 July 2025}}</ref> ''(Civilised Malaysia: The People Are Respected)'' |}

===Reception=== 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", was Najib Razak's campaign jingle in the run-up to the 2013 elections). 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) 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.<ref>[http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/205087 "Rais seeks views on Merdeka theme song"], ''Malaysiakini'', 1 August 2012.</ref>

The 2020 Malaysia Prihatin theme had been chosen because of the COVID-19 pandemic and in recognition of the caring and concerned of all Malaysian.<ref name=":1" /> In 2021, despite the theme and logo remained the same, but the theme song changed from ''Malaysia Prihatin'' (sung by Aliff Satar, Syamel, Siti Sarah, and Aina Abdul for original version, and Ernie Zakri for symphony version) to ''Menang Bersama'' (sung by Faizal 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.<ref>{{Cite web|date=31 August 2022|title=At Dataran Merdeka, Malaysians turn out in droves to celebrate National Day|url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/08/31/at-dataran-merdeka-malaysians-turn-out-in-droves-to-celebrate-national-day/25681|access-date=12 February 2023|language=en}}</ref> 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 of Anwar Ibrahim.

==2015 Hari Merdeka Anniversary Issues== Legally, ''Hari Merdeka'' is the official independence day of 'the federation' as defined in the Article 160 of the Constitution of Malaysia, which was that established under the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957.<ref name="James Chin & Andrew Harding"/> However, beginning in 2015, in a policy announced by the then Minister of Communication and Multimedia Ahmad 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=91038|title=No more mentioning number of years|work=Daily Express|date=9 September 2014|access-date=9 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909142059/http://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news.cfm?NewsID=91038|archive-date=9 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Minister of Land Development of Sarawak, the late James 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 than ''Hari Merdeka''. He added "Everyone now knows that 31 August is Malaya's and Sabah'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".<ref name="James Masing">{{cite web|url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/09/11/emphasis-should-be-on-sept-16-not-aug-31/|title=Emphasis should be on Sept 16 not Aug 31|author=Peter Sibon and Karen Bong|work=The Borneo Post|date=11 September 2014|access-date=15 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915011559/http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/09/11/emphasis-should-be-on-sept-16-not-aug-31/|archive-date=15 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{quote|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.|James Masing|source=}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} {{Wikisource|Malayan Proclamation of Independence}} * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W_L6crtJWE Merdeka proclamation on YouTube video] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070402034000/http://perdana.pnm.my/bib_kemerdekaan/Logo1970-1980.htm Theme and Logo for ''Hari Kebangsaan'']

Category:August observances Malaysia Category:British Malaya Category:1957 in Malaya Category:Malaysian Independence Category:Public holidays in Malaysia