KOLEJ T6 HAJI ZAINUL ABIDIN

An Independence Day is an annual celebration observing the anniversary of a nation's independent statehood, usually after ceasing to be a colony or part of another state. All countries honor their respective independence day, celebrating it as a national holiday. The independence of Malaysia is different from that of the independence of other countries. It was a peaceful independence attained by holding talks with the British. Thus on 31 August 1957, Malaysia got its independence from the United Kingdom.

The first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj spearheaded the effort for independence, leading a delegation of ministers and political leaders of Malaya (now Malaysia) in negotiations with the British in London for Merdeka, or Independence. Just when it became clear that the Communist threat posed during the Malayan Emergency was getting out of hand, agreement was reached on February 8, 1956, for Malaya to gain independence from the British Empire. But for some reason it was decided that the official proclamation of independence would be made the next year, on August 31, 1957, at Stadium Merdeka (Independence Stadium), in Kuala Lumpur.

On this glorious day Allahyarham Tunku Abdul Rahman proudly declared the independence day of Malaysia by shouting out "Merdeka" seven times at the Merdeka Stadium. Hari Merdeka meaning the Independence Day is the national day of Malaysia commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule. In a larger perspective this day is celebrates the formation of Malaysia. On August 31, 2008, Malaysia will celebrate its 50 years of independence.