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MALAYSIA DAY

When is Malaysia Day in 2024?

Malaysia Day in 2024 is on the Monday, 16th of Sep (9/16/2024).

Malaysia Day is on the 260th day of 2024. There are 106 days left in the year.

Malaysia Day Facts

  • Date: Sep 16, 2024
  • National
  • Also Called: Hari Malaysia
  • Celebrations: Celebrations; parades, speeches, political addresses, military demonstrations, cooking, adventures, cultural performances
Malaysia Day iImage Credit: PixaBay.com

Also known as Hari Malaysia, the holiday is celebrated on 16th September to commemorate the founding of Malaysian Federation.

History of Malaysia Day

The history of Malaysia Day can be traced to the 16th September 1963. On that day, four territories came together to form Malaysia. These were Malayan Federation, North Borneo (now Sabah), Sarawak and Singapore. Two years later, Singapore left the federation.

Before the Malaysian Federation, Sarawak gained self-government status from the British in July 1963. North Borneo was granted the same on 31st August 1963 while Singapore received it back in 1959.

In 1962, the Cobbold Commission was established to determine whether its people would support the four nations under a new constitution. When everything was eventually agreed, the commission pushed the merger of the four countries forward.

Initially, the merger was set for 1st June 1963, but it was postponed to 31st August 1963 to coincide with the date Malayan Federation gained independence. As fate would have it, objections from the neighboring nations, Indonesia and the Philippines, delayed the formation of the Malaysian Federation. Following these postponements, the official declaration was made on 16th September that year.

The action was made official through the signing of the international treaty of the Malaysian Agreement by the United Kingdom, the Federation of Malaya and Singapore.

Today, the Malaysian people celebrate Malaysia Day on 16th December as the date their country was formed. The day was however declared a public holiday in 2010 to remind the Malaysian people of the struggles the forefathers faced in achieving the independence they enjoy today.

Malaysian Day vs. Merdeka Day

Malaysia Day celebrates the day the country Malaysia was formed after the merger between Malayan Federation, North Borneo (now Sabah), Sarawak and Singapore. This day is observed on 16th September every year.

Merdeka Day, on the other hand, is also known as Independence Day, Hari Merdeka or Hari Kebangsaan. The holiday celebrates the day in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained its independence from the British colony. Merdeka Day is celebrated on 31st August every year.

How to Celebrate Malaysia Day

Malaysia Day is marked by parades, military demonstrations, sporting events, and cultural performances. Politicians also deliver speeches aimed at nation development and honoring the veterans that formed Malaysia as a country. It is a good thing to attend these events. They are not only fun, but they also give you a chance to demonstrate your patriotism.

This is a time to eat an authentic Malaysian dish. You can start the day by eating nasi lemak, which consists of rice steamed with coconut milk and pandan leaves. Other varieties of Malaysian food you can try out include peanuts, seafood, hard boiled eggs, beef curry, and chicken served with sambal (chili-based sauce). Remember that it is a tradition for Malaysians to eat rice dishes using their fingers or chopsticks. Don’t worry if things get messy, Malaysians are kind-hearted people, and they will definitely help you out.

Another great way to mark this day is by wearing a traditional cultural costume. Malaysia is a multicultural nation and therefore has several traditional costumes. These include the baju kurungu for female, baju Melayu for male, the cheongsam, Punjab suit among others you can choose from. Be sure to pair it with comfortable shoes and then hit the streets.

Whether you are a foreigner or a Malaysian citizen, take this day as an opportunity to tour the country. You can have a picnic with your friends at the numerous parks countrywide, enjoy an evening beach stroll or discover some of the hidden alleys in most towns.

If you are a foreigner, it is a good gesture to learn one of the local languages. Malaysia has many cultures and language groups. Taking time to learn a few of common phrases in some of the languages can definitely make your stay in Malaysia more enjoyable.

Remember to share your Malaysia Day celebrations with family and friends on social media using the hashtag #MalaysiaDay.

Why Celebrate Malaysia Day

In observing Malaysia Day, we celebrate the struggles and success stories during the past decades. We also appreciate the historical milestones such as the Cobbold Commission and Malaysia Agreement which made the formation of Malaysia possible.

Malaysia Day also celebrates the colorful cultures that infuse to the Malaysian multicultural societies. Cultures like the Dayaks, Muruts, Ibans and the Kadazans.

Malaysia Day Observances

DAY
DATE
HOLIDAY NAME
  • Mon
  • Sep 16, 2013
  • Tue
  • Sep 16, 2014
  • Wed
  • Sep 16, 2015
  • Fri
  • Sep 16, 2016
  • Sat
  • Sep 16, 2017

List of National and Regional Public Holidays of Malaysia in 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
MondayMonJan 01, 2024Jan 01New Year's Day
ThursdayThuJan 25, 2024Jan 25Thaipusam (Many Regions)
SaturdaySatFeb 10, 2024Feb 10Chinese New Year
SundaySunFeb 11, 2024Feb 112nd day of Chinese New Year
MondayMonFeb 12, 2024Feb 123rd day of Chinese New Year (Many Regions)
ThursdayThuMar 28, 2024Mar 28Nuzul Al-Quran (Many Regions)
FridayFriMar 29, 2024Mar 29Good Friday
WednesdayWedApr 10, 2024Apr 10Hari Raya Puasa
ThursdayThuApr 11, 2024Apr 11Hari Raya Puasa Day 2
WednesdayWedMay 01, 2024May 01Labour day
WednesdayWedMay 22, 2024May 22Waisak Day
MondayMonJun 03, 2024Jun 03Agong's Birthday
MondayMonJun 17, 2024Jun 17Hari Raya Haji
TuesdayTueJun 18, 2024Jun 18Hari Raya Haji Day 2 (Many Regions)
SundaySunJul 07, 2024Jul 07Awal Muharram
MondayMonSep 16, 2024Sep 16Malaysia Day
MondayMonSep 16, 2024Sep 16Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
ThursdayThuOct 31, 2024Oct 31Deepavali / Diwali
WednesdayWedDec 25, 2024Dec 25Christmas Day

List of Popular Celebration Days of United States in 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
FridayFriJan 12, 2024Jan 12National Pharmacists Day
FridayFriJan 19, 2024Jan 19National Popcorn Day
FridayFriFeb 02, 2024Feb 02Groundhog Day
FridayFriFeb 02, 2024Feb 02National Wear Red Day
WednesdayWedFeb 07, 2024Feb 07National Signing Day
FridayFriFeb 09, 2024Feb 09National Pizza Day
TuesdayTueFeb 13, 2024Feb 13Galentine's Day
TuesdayTueFeb 13, 2024Feb 13National Pancake Day
WednesdayWedFeb 14, 2024Feb 14Valentine's Day
ThursdayThuFeb 15, 2024Feb 15National Bagel Day
SundaySunFeb 18, 2024Feb 18National Drink Wine Day
ThursdayThuFeb 22, 2024Feb 22National Margarita Day
ThursdayThuFeb 29, 2024Feb 29Leap Day
FridayFriMar 01, 2024Mar 01National Employee Appreciation Day
ThursdayThuMar 07, 2024Mar 07National Cereal Day
SundaySunMar 10, 2024Mar 10Daylight savings
MondayMonMar 11, 2024Mar 11National Napping Day
ThursdayThuMar 14, 2024Mar 14National Walkout Day
ThursdayThuMar 14, 2024Mar 14National Pi Day
WednesdayWedMar 20, 2024Mar 20National Proposal Day
SaturdaySatMar 23, 2024Mar 23National Puppy Day
SaturdaySatMar 30, 2024Mar 30National Doctor Day
WednesdayWedApr 03, 2024Apr 03National Walking Day
ThursdayThuApr 04, 2024Apr 04National Burrito Day
SundaySunApr 07, 2024Apr 07National Beer Day
ThursdayThuApr 11, 2024Apr 11National Pet Day
FridayFriApr 12, 2024Apr 12National Grilled Cheese Day
ThursdayThuMay 02, 2024May 02National Day Of Prayer
SundaySunMay 12, 2024May 12Mother's Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25National Towel Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25National Wine Day
FridayFriJun 07, 2024Jun 07National Donut Day
SaturdaySatJun 08, 2024Jun 08National Best Friends Day
SundaySunJun 16, 2024Jun 16Father's Day
FridayFriJun 21, 2024Jun 21National Selfie Day
SaturdaySatJun 22, 2024Jun 22National Kissing Day
SaturdaySatJul 13, 2024Jul 13National French Fry Day
SundaySunJul 14, 2024Jul 14National Nude Day
WednesdayWedJul 17, 2024Jul 17National Hot Dog Day
SundaySunJul 21, 2024Jul 21National Ice Cream Day
TuesdayTueJul 23, 2024Jul 23Amazon Prime Day
WednesdayWedJul 24, 2024Jul 24National Tequila Day
MondayMonJul 29, 2024Jul 29National Chicken Wing Day
ThursdayThuAug 01, 2024Aug 01National Girlfriends Day
SundaySunAug 04, 2024Aug 04National Sister Day
WednesdayWedSep 18, 2024Sep 18National Cheeseburger Day
ThursdayThuOct 03, 2024Oct 03National Boyfriends Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04National Vodka Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04National Taco Day
WednesdayWedOct 09, 2024Oct 09Leif Erikson Day
SaturdaySatOct 19, 2024Oct 19Sweetest Day
TuesdayTueOct 29, 2024Oct 29National Cat Day
ThursdayThuOct 31, 2024Oct 31Halloween
SundaySunNov 03, 2024Nov 03National Sandwich Day
FridayFriNov 29, 2024Nov 29Black Friday
MondayMonDec 02, 2024Dec 02Cyber Monday
SaturdaySatDec 07, 2024Dec 07Candle Day
MondayMonDec 09, 2024Dec 09National Pastry Day
FridayFriDec 20, 2024Dec 20National Ugly Sweater day