It’s Malaysia’s 54th Independence Day!

Today is the second day of the new year celebration for Muslims around the world, but particularly for Malaysians, today is also the Independence Day for the nation! Selamat Hari Raya once again, and also Selamat Menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan ke-54! (Happy Muslim New Year and 54th Independence Day).

Let’s write a bit of history regarding the independence of our nation back in 54 years ago…On 12am, 31st August 1957, the Union Jack flag in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building at the field now called Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) is lowered while the Malayan flag is raised officially for the first time. On that morning in Stadium Merdeka, our first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, declared the official independence of Malaya (only peninsular Malaya, not yet Malaysia) and shouted Merdeka for seven times. For further information, Peninsular Malaya together with Sabah and Sarawak as well as Singapore (out from nation years later) formed Malaysia on 16th September 1963.

Malaysia now is already a free nation for 54 years! We have seen many progress and growth of the nation in many aspects, and we are hoping for a developed nation by 2020 as stated in Wawasan 2020 (Vision 2020) by the most influential former prime minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir. We have heard of ‘Malaysia Boleh’, and now, a more famous slogan by our current prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak; One Malaysia. 9 years later, we are going to achieve that!

The official celebration for the Independence Day is postponed to September 16, as to hold celebration concurrently with the Malaysia Day on 16th September, and to still concentrate the current time on Hari Raya celebration. My wish for the nation is that it would continues to grow and prosper, with no corruption and laziness (which is impossible as seen in current situation of the nation). Again for the last time, Happy Independence Day to Malaysia for the 54th year!

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