MALAYSIA DAY

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.