CONVERGENCE JULY - AUGUST 2016

MERDEKA!
MERDEKA!
MERDEKA!
MALAYSIA'S FIRST PRIME MINISTER,
TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN CHANTED
'MERDEKA!' SEVEN TIMES ON 31
AUGUST 1957 MARKING THE
FEDERATION OF MALAYA'S
INDEPENDENCE FROM THE BRITISH
EMPIRE. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THAT
EVENTFUL AND HISTORIC DAY THAT
TOOK PLACE 59 YEARS AGO.
The word 'Merdeka' translates to independence but for
Malaysians, it means so much more than just a word. The
word transcends its meaning and depicts the culmination
of the country's first and foremost leaders and people who
fought tirelessly for their freedom and the freedom of the
land they called home.
That day officially came on 31 August 1957 with people of
the land and the whole wide world watching the Federation's
first Chief Minister of Malaya and the country's first Prime
Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman reading the declaration of
Independence at the Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur
within the presence of thousands of people namely the
Malay Rulers, ministers, political leaders, members of the
federal government and foreign dignitaries.
The moment that sent chills down spines was perhaps on,
the night of 30 August 1957 when Tunku alongside other
dignitaries observed two minutes of darkness as the clock
ticked close to midnight, spanning a new dawn, a new
administration and a new future for Malaya.
On the stroke of midnight, lights were switched back on
and the Empire's Union Jack flag was lowered and replaced
by the Malayan flag as the national anthem 'Negaraku'
was played.
In his speech delivered at midnight, Tunku said it was the
greatest moment in the life of the Malayan people. And it
still continues to resonate strongly within the heart of all
Malaysians till this very day.
Chronicles
Tunku Abdul Rahman was Malaysia's first Prime Minister. He is also
known as the 'Father of Independence'
Tunku Abdul Rahman (seated third from left) with his newly-minted
Federation of Malaya cabinet ministers
A COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY
The effort for independence was spearheaded by Tunku
who led a delegation of ministers and political leaders of
Malaya in negotiations with the British in London for Merdeka
along with the first president of the Malayan Chinese
Association (MCA), Tun Tan Cheng Lock and fifth President
of Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), Tun VT Sambanthan.
Once it became increasingly clear that the Communist threat
posed during the Malayan Emergency was watering down,
an agreement was reached on 8 February 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 31 August 1957.
Today, Merdeka Day celebrations in the country include parades and
march past held at Merdeka Square in the capital city
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