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Hari Merdeka
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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. In August 31, 2007, Malaysia will celebrate its 50 years of independence.
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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.
Even before the delegation left for London, the date for independence was already set. It was decided during a discussion in 1956 involving UMNO Youth chief (Tun) Sardon Jubir and his deputy Haji Ahmad Badawi in Kepala Batas, Penang.
Also present at the discussion was Haji Ahmad Badawi's father, Haji Abdullah Fahim, who was also the Penang Mufti and a renowned Muslim scholar. Haji Abdullah Fahim is also the late grandfather of the current Prime Minister of Malaysia. Analysing the independence dates of countries like Indonesia and India, all falling on odd dates in August, Haji Abdullah Fahim after conducting his own calculations decided August 31 as the most appropriate date [1].
The Federation of Malaysia, comprising states of Malaya, North Borneo (later renamed Sabah), Sarawak and Singapore was to be officially declared on the date August 31, 1963, on the 6th anniversary of Malayan independence. However, it was postponed to September 16, 1963, mainly due to Indonesian and the Philippines' opposition to the formation of Malaysia. Indonesian opposition later escalated to a military conflict.
Indonesia considered Malaysia as a new form of colonization on the provinces of Sarawak and Sabah in the island of Borneo (bordering Kalimantan, Indonesia), which they laid claim on. To assure Indonesia that Malaysia was not a form of neo-colonialism, a referendum, organized by the United Nations, and the Cobbold Commission, led by Lord Cobbold, were formed to determine whether the people of Sabah and Sarawak wished to join Malaysia. Their eventual findings which indicated substantial support for Malaysia among the peoples of Sabah and Sarawak, cleared the way for the final proclamation of Malaysia.
The formation of the Federation of Malaysia was then announced on September 16, 1963. However, the Independence Day celebration is still held on August 31, the original independence date of Malaya. 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[citation needed].
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 |
none |
| 1974 | Sains dan Teknologi Alat Perpaduan (Science and Technology as Tools of Unity) |
none |
| 1975 | Masyarakat Berdikari | none |
| 1976 | Ketahanan Rakyat |  |
| 1977 | Bersatu Maju |  |
| 1978 | Kebudayaan Sendi Perpaduan |  |
| 1979 | Bersatu Berdisplin |  |
| 1980 | Berdisplin Berbakti |  |
| 1981 | Berdisplin Berharmoni |  |
| 1982 | Berdisplin Giat Maju |  |
| 1983 | Bersama Ke Arah Kemajuan (Together Towards Success) |
 |
| 1984 | Amanah Asas Kejayaan (Honesty Brings Success) |
 |
| 1985 | Nasionalisme Teras Perpaduan |  |
| 1986 | Bangsa Tegas Negara Teguh |  |
| 1987 | Setia Bersatu Berusaha Maju |  |
| 1988 | Bersatu (Unity) |
 |
| 1989 | Bersatu (Unity) |
 |
| 1990 | Berjaya (Success) |
 |
| 1991 | Wawasan 2020 (Vision 2020) |
 |
| 1992 | Wawasan Asas Kemajuan |  |
| 1993 | Bersatu Menuju Wawasan (Together Towards Vision) |
 |
| 1994 | Nilai Murni Jayakan Wawasan |  |
| 1995 | Jatidiri Pengerak Wawasan |  |
| 1996 | Budaya Penentu Kecapaian (Culture Determines Achievements ) |
 |
| 1997 | Akhlak Mulia Masyarakat Jaya |  |
| 1998 | Negara Kita, Tanggungjawab Kita (Our Country, Our Responsibility) |
 |
| 1999 | Bersatu Ke Alaf Baru (Together Towards the New Millenium) |
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| 2000-2006 | Keranamu: MALAYSIA (Because of you: MALAYSIA) |
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| 2007 | 50 Tahun Malaysiaku Gemilang |
- ^ Bernama (January 2007). Celebrating 50 years of independence.