Happy Malaysia Day

Happy Malaysia Day to all citizens of Malaysia.

Today (16 September 2012) is a celebration that marks the formation of the Malaysian federation on 16-09-1963, whereby Malaya, North Borneo (renamed Sabah), Sarawak, and Singapore joined together to form Malaysia.


Cultural dances by Sabah's multi-ethnic groups during the August 31 merdeka celebration a couple of weeks ago. Photo: Victor Lo/InsightSabah.


There are two significant dates for Sarawak and Sabah prior to the formation of Malaysia:

1. Sarawak gained its transitional administration from Britain on July 22, 1963, 
2. North Borneo (Sabah) began its transitional administration from the Britain on August 31, 1963

During this year's Malaysia Day celebration, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak called for a stop to debate over Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day, saying both the dates were meaningful and important in the country’s history. Quite rightly so, and it should be taken in good faith.

This year's celebration was in Bintulu, Sarawak.

☺  ☺  ☺  "SELAMAT HARI MALAYSIA"  ☺  ☺  ☺

Happy Merdeka Malaysia

Happy Merdeka to all Malaysians where ever you may be!

Hari Merdeka (Independence Day) is a national day of Malaysia commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule in 1957, celebrated on August 31 each year. But Malaysia was formed on 16 September 1963, when it is joined by Sabah and Sarawak. (wikipedia)


The Hibiscus

Malaysia National Flower is the hibiscus rosa sinensis or locally known as the Bunga Raya. I have captured some of the commonly found hibiscus in Malaysia:

Hibiscus of different kinds

Pink hibiscus found abundance at Ujana Rimba Tropika

The Bunga Raya - hibiscus rosa sinensis is on the right.

"Rakyat Didahulukan" - You First

The figure '1' here is the symbol for 1Malaysia that is used (you can find this almost everywhere) in many campaigns and advertorials by the government to showcase the 'oneness' in the society. In this case, Sabah Credit Corporation says "You First" to its customers and clients.


Malaysia Merdeka Themes

The 2012 Merdeka theme - "55 Years of Independence: Promises Fulfilled" - has proven to be controversial, as it is seen by many Malaysians to be a political slogan rather than a patriotic one. Controversial or not, here are the themes for the last 20 years:

Merdeka themes: 1992 - 2012

Let's pray that Malaysia shall continue to be peaceful and progressive. That our leaders are given the wisdom to govern the country always in a fair manner.

Happy Merdeka Day

Selamat menyambut ulang tahun kemerdekaan daripada penjajahan British. Deklarasi kemerdekaan pada 31 Ogos 1957 merujuk kepada bermulanya pemerintahan sendiri Persekutuan Tanah Melayu (Malaya).

Hari Malaysia pula merujuk kepada terbentuknya federasi Malaysia pada 16 September 1963 bilamana negeri-negeri Sabah, Sarawak dan Singapura bergabung dengan negeri-negeri di Semenanjung Tanah Melayu membentuk sebuah negara berdaulat - MALAYSIA.

Selepas itu negeri-negeri di Semenanjung Malaysia dikenali sebagai Malaysia Barat maakala Sabah dan dan Sarawak yang terletak di Pulau Borneo dikenali dengan pangilan Malaysia Timur.

Secara peribadi saya lebih suka istilah Malaysia sahaja berbanding panggilan-panggilan yang bersifat regionalisation. Tidak perlu beza-membezakan antara satu sama lain, kita kan satu Malaysia.

Many thanks to Uncle Google for putting up a nice banner of "Independence Day" on his landing page for Google Malaysia for a good few days until 31st August 2011. As you hover your mouse/cursor above the banner, you will notice a hyperlink and a click would bring you to search results on 'Malaysian Independence Day' news and updates.

This year's Merdeka Theme is "1 Malaysia, Transformasi Berjaya, Rakyat Sejahtera" (1 Malaysia, Transformation Success, People Peace)

Top: Landing page, Bottom: after a click. Note the double celebrations marked with 'Ketupat' and the 'Jalur Gemilang'


This year's Hari Raya Eid ul-Fitr coincides with the Merdeka Day celebration.

Selamat Hari Raya, selamat merayakannya kepada saudara-mara, sahabat-handai dan taulan Muslim dan keep safe ya.