Independence Day 1957



31 August 1957

On the night of 30 August 1957, crowds gathered at the Dataran merdeka Padang in Kuala Lumpur to witness the handover of power from the British. Prime Minister-designate Tunku Abdul Rahman arrived at 11:58 p.m. and joined members of the Alliance Party's youth divisions in observing two minutes of darkness.[2] On the stroke of midnight, the lights were switched back on, and the Union Flag in the square was lowered.[3] 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.[2][3] Tunku Abdul Rahman later gave a speech hailing the ceremony as the "greatest moment in the life of the Malayan people".[2] 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 the next day.
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 a.m. Those in attendance included rulers of the Malay states, foreign dignitaries, members of the federal cabinet, and citizens.[4] The Queen's representative, the Duke of Gloucester presented Tunku Abdul Rahman with the instrument of independence.[4] 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.[4]
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.

PROCLAMATION ON INDEPENDENCE CEREMONY KUALA LUMPUR 1957

THEMES FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY
1970Muhibbah dan Perpaduan
(Goodwill and Unity)
1971Masyarakat Progresif
(Progressive Society)
1972Masyarakat Adil
(Fair Society)
1973Masyarakat Berkebudayaan Malaysia
(A Society with Malaysian Culture)
1974Sains dan Teknologi Alat Perpaduan
(Science and Technology as Tools of Unity)
1975Masyarakat Berdikari
(A Self-Reliant Society)
1976Ketahanan Rakyat
(Strength of the People)
197720 Tahun Bersatu Maju
(20 Years United and Progressive)
1978Kebudayaan Sendi Perpaduan
(Culture is the Core of Unity)
1979Bersatu Berdisplin
(United and Disciplined)
1980Berdisplin Berbakti
(Discipline and Service)
1981Berdisplin Berharmoni
(Discipline and Harmony)
1982Berdisplin Giat Maju
(Discipline Creates Progress)
1983Bersama Ke Arah Kemajuan
(Together Towards Success)
1984Amanah Asas Kejayaan
(Honesty Brings Success)
1985Nasionalisme Teras Perpaduan
(Nationalism is the Core of Unity)
1986Bangsa Tegas Negara Teguh
(Steadfast Society, Strong Country)
1987Setia Bersatu Berusaha Maju
(Loyally United, Progressively Striving)
1988Bersatu
(United)
1989Bersatu
(United)
1990Berjaya
(Successful)
1991Wawasan 2020
(Vision 2020)
1992Wawasan Asas Kemajuan
(Vision is the Basis of Progress)
1993Bersatu Menuju Wawasan
(Together Towards Vision)
1994Nilai Murni Jayakan Wawasan
(Good Values Makes the Vision a Success)
1995Jatidiri Pengerak Wawasan
(Steadfastness Moves the Vision Forward)
1996Budaya Penantu Kecapaian
(Culture Determines Achievements)
1997Akhlak Mulia Masyarakat Jaya
(Good Values Make a Successful Society)
1998Negara Kita, Tanggungjawab Kita
(Our Country, Our Responsibility)
1999Bersatu Ke Alaf Baru
(Together Towards the New Millennium)
2000–2006Keranamu Malaysia
(Because of you, Malaysia)
2007Malaysiaku Gemilang
(My Glorious Malaysia)
2008Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan
(Unity Is The Core of Success)
20091 Malaysia: Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan
(1 Malaysia: People First, Performance Now)
20101 Malaysia: Menjana Transformasi
(1 Malaysia: Transforming the Nation)
20111 Malaysia: Transformasi Berjaya, Rakyat Sejahtera
(1 Malaysia: Successful Transformations, Prosperous Citizens)
201255 Tahun Merdeka: Janji Ditepati
(55 Years of Independence: Promises Fulfilled)
2013Malaysiaku Berdaulat, Tanah Tumpahnya Darahku
(My Sovereign Malaysia, The Land Where My Blood Has Spilt)
2014Malaysia, Di Sini Lahirnya Sebuah Cinta
(Malaysia, Here Is Where Love Begins)
2015 - 2016Malaysia, Sehati Sejiwa
(Single Minded Malaysia)




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