New Delhi: Every year on August 31, Independence Day is celebrated in Malaysia. Also known as the National Day, it is the day when the Federation of Malaya got its freedom from the British Empire. Later, the Federation of Malaya would become Malaysia and every year, it commemorates the Malayan Declaration of Independence on this day. In this article, we will learn more about this day.
The role of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the country’s first Prime Minister, played a crucial role in bringing home the Independence. He led a delegation of Malaya ministers and political leaders to negotiate with the British for independence. On February 8, 1956, an agreement was reached for the freedom of Malaya from the clutches of British rule. But, administrative and logistical reasons pushed the official proclamation of independence to August 31, 1957.
What was the Federation of Malaya?
The Federation of Malaya was a nation and descendant of the Malayan Union and the British Malaya. Established on February 1, 1948, it had 11 states, nine Malay states and two of the Straits Settlements, Malacca and Penang. Malaya was a self-governing colony before it gained independence. On September 16, 1963, Malaysia replaced Malaya by uniting with Singapore, North Borneo (Sabah), and Sarawak. On August 9, 1965, Singapore was expelled leaving the original states of Malaya as well as Sarawak and Sabah making up the Malaysia that we know today.
How was the first Independence Day celebrated?
On August 30, 1957, over 20,000 people gathered at Kuala Lumpur’s Merdeka Square to witness the British handing over power and the Independence. Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj who was Prime Minister-designate at that time and others observed two minutes of darkness. The lights were switched back on at the stroke of midnight, the Union Flag was lowered and the new Flag of Malaya was raised with the national anthem Negaraku being played simultaneously. The representatives of the Alliance Party gave a necklace to Tunku Abdul Rahman in honour of the great occasion. After that, Tunku addressed the crowd and the events of the Independence ended at 1 a.m..
The Federation of Malaya was a nation and descendant of the Malayan Union and the British Malaya. Established on February 1, 1948, it had 11 states, nine Malay states and two of the Straits Settlements. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
