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Tourism Malaysia

Things To Do In The Month of Merdeka

In Malaysia, Independence Day is celebrated on 31 August every year. Why is it important to celebrate our Independence Day? For us, it is a day to remember all we as a nation have been through, as well as to demonstrate the significance of freedom and remind us of the sacrifices of our ancestors. By celebrating our Independence Day, we are acknowledging and owning the long and complicated history of our country. The whole month of August is actually dedicated to celebrating Malaysia’s independence.

For tourists to have a better understanding of Malaysia’s history, this is the right month to visit Malaysia.

So, let’s dedicate the whole month of August to learning about the history of Malaysia by doing these activities:

Visit the Proclamation of Independence Memorial

Proclamation of Independence Memorial

It can be said that the Proclamation of Independence Memorial is a building that safeguards many precious secrets in its vaults. The memorial exist as a reflection of a page in history from the struggle for independence to the great moments at Padang Pahlawan in Bandar Hilir, Melaka.

The two-storey building houses and exhibits historic documents ranging from the era of Melaka Malay Sultanate right up to the eve of independence in 1957. The exhibits here include collection of manuscripts, videotapes and other audio and visual collections.

The Memorial building, which was established on the mutual collaboration between the Melaka State Government and the National Archives of Malaysia, is surrounded by historical by historical remnants and structures such as the A’ Famosa Fort, St. Paul’s Hill, Padang Pahlawan Square and the Cultural Museum, which is a replica model of the Melaka Malay Sultanate Palace.

This is the place all Malaysians must go at least once in their lifetime. Admission is free.

Opening Hours: 09:00 am – 17:30 pm (Closed every Monday except on public holidays)

The Proclamation of Independence Memorial
Address:
Jalan Parameswara, 75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Tel: +606 284 1231

Get a Closer Look at the Merdeka Obelisk

Merdeka Obelisk

IT IS one of the most significant monuments of the country’s independence from colonial Britain but sadly, not many people notice it.

The little triangular structure called the Merdeka Obelisk stands forlornly in the shadow of yet another crass commercial development that Malacca is fast gaining notoriety for.

The obelisk marks the spot where H. G. Hammet, the last British resident commissioner of Malacca, handed over the instrument of independence to the state’s first local governor, Leong Yew Koh (later Tun) on Aug 31, 1957.

Then Chief Minister of Malacca Datuk Kurnia Jasa Osman Talib read the Proclamation of Independence after which the flags of the Federation of Malaya and state were raised.

The memorial with the letter “M” (for Merdeka) in the centre of a 11-pointed star, also indicates where Tunku Abdul Rahman first announced the date of Independence on Feb 20, 1956, after returning from his successful talks in London.

Merdeka Obelisk
Address:
Padang Pahlawan (Warrior’s Field),
Bandar Hilir, 75000, Melaka.

Story and Photo are credited to The Star.

Visit the Army Museum, Port Dickson

Military Museum – Negeri Sembilan

Visiting this Army Museum can be a surreal encounter that all Malaysians should experience at least once in our lifetime. It will evoke a sense of patriotism and pride in all of us. Why this museum you asked, well, this Army Museum does a good job to show us key moments of Malaysian history and also the heroism of our warriors.

The Army Museum, known locally as Muzium Tentera Darat, is located next to a military base off the main road at 5th mile, about 7km away from Port Dickson town in Sirusa district. A property of the Malaysian Royal Armed Forces, the museum traces Malaysia’s exploits and achievements through history, trumped up with dramatised aspects and romantic story-telling.

Get to know Lieutenant Adnan Saidi who was a Malayan soldier of the 1st Infantry Brigade which fought the Japanese in Pasir Panjang and Bukit Chandu and regarded by Malaysians and Singaporeans as a national hero. Learn about the modern day heroes who saved the American soldiers during the Battle of Mogadishu, an incident that was later made into a movie called Black Hawk Down. All these stories are proudly displayed at the museum.

MUZIUM TENTERA DARAT – NEGERI SEMBILAN

There are two blocks of buildings housing four galleries each, taking visitors from era to era. The museum use yellow footprints to guide you through the two-storey twin buildings so that chronological order is maintained. One of the galleries is dedicated to the era of the Melaka Sultanate, while another gallery tells the tale of British Malaya, and the various local heroes and freedom fighters. Other galleries are dedicated to the time of the formation of the Malay army, the time of the Japanese occupation and the communist insurgency.

Another interesting feature is a re-created mock-up of a communist underground tunnel. You walk down into the ground and into a darkened tunnel which has a communist sentry, surgery room, mock operations room and ammunition store.

In addition to the museum buildings, the spacious grounds also house decommissioned military vehicles, including planes, tanks and artillery guns, and a memorial fountain dedicated to soldiers who served through Malaysia’s war history. Children will love this museum because they can climb into some of the military vehicles and take pictures too.

Open daily from morning till evening, entry is free for all visitors.

Muzium Tentera Darat
Batu 4, Kem Si Rusa
71050 Port Dickson.
Tel: 06 – 647 1266 samb. 2482

Visit Tugu Negara (National Monument)

Situated overlooking the KL Lake Gardens, the huge bronze monument was built to pay tribute to the valiant soldiers who gave their lives defending the country during the Communist Insurgency in the 1950s. It was designed by Felix de Weldon, the architect of the famous Iwo Jima Memorial

One place with patriotic significance that Malaysians rarely visit is the Tugu Negara or National Monument. Deeply rooted in Malaysia’s history, the National Monument (Tugu Negara) stands tall and proud as a testament of the sacrifices that we as a nation have gone through. Visiting this place can bring back mixed feelings, memories of struggles, moments of triumphs and at the same time sadness as we remember all those who died for the country.

Located in Jalan Tugu, off Jalan Parlimen, Tugu Negara was built for RM1.5mil and was officially unveiled on Feb 8, 1966. Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, was inspired to build a monument after visiting the Marine Corps War Memorial in Virginia, United States in Oct 1960.

He believed it was essential to commemorate those who had perished defending the country, particularly during WWII and the Malayan Emergency from 1948 to 1960. It was reported that about 11,000 civilians and security forces were killed during that time.

The monument was designed by the late Tan Sri Felix de Weldon, an American sculptor of Austrian origin who had worked on the Marine Corps War Memorial. The construction of Tugu Negara began in 1963.

The bronze sculpture depicts a group of seven soldiers. In the middle stands a soldier in a victorious pose, his right hand holding a Malaysian flag (made from cloth). The height of the monument is 15m, making it the biggest freestanding bronze sculpture in the world.

The soldiers symbolise leadership, suffering, unity, vigilance, strength, courage and sacrifice. The statues are erected on stones imported from the coastal city of Karlshamn, Sweden.

The base of the monument is made from granite and bears the Malayan Coat of Arms, of which both sides are engraved with the inscription: “Dedicated to the heroic fighters in the cause of peace and freedom; May the blessing of Allah be upon them.”

At Tugu Negara, there are two monuments to take note of as you enter the compound. The first is a 10m-high cenotaph (an empty tomb or monument erected to honour the dead) which stands at the upper entrance of the National Monument, on a seven- tiered rectangular base.

The inscription at the bottom, “To Our Glorious Dead (1914–1918), (1939–1945) and the Emergency (1948–1960)”, testifies to Malaysia’s involvement in a number of wars, including both World Wars and and also the Malayan Emergency, a guerilla war between the Commonwealth armed forces and the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party.

Interestingly, the cenotaph was originally placed at Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin (formerly called Victoria Avenue) near the old Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. It was later moved to its current site to make way for the construction of a flyover connecting Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin and the Parliament roundabout.

Names of the fallen are engraved on the plaques of the cenotaph as a token of tribute to their sacrifices.

Getting to the National Monument is relatively easy. Hop on the KTM train and get off at the Bank Negara Station. Follow the signage to Jalan Parlimen or Botanical Lake Garden. It will take about 15 minutes by foot or five minutes by taxi.

Another option is to take the Kuala Lumpur Hop-on, Hop-off bus from Jalan Bukit Bintang. One of the stops is the National Monument. You can explore the area for a bit and then take the next bus to continue the city tour of Kuala Lumpur.

The cheapest way is to take the metro to the Old Railway Station. From there it is a 10/15 minute walk to the entrance of the wonderful Lake Gardens, one of the biggest parks in Kuala Lumpur. It will take another 15/25 minutes to walk through the park to the north entrance where it is only a 5/10 minute walk to the National Monument.

Daily opening hours are between 7am and 6pm.

Tugu Negara
Address: Jalan Parlimen, Kuala Lumpur 50480 Malaysia
Tel: +603-2615-8188

Story is credited to The Star.

Stay the Night at Federal Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

Nestled among other modern skyscrapers that dominated the Kuala Lumpur’s famous shopping and entertainment district, Bukit Bintang, the Federal Hotel’s old-fashioned architecture really looks out of place.

However, the building’s unassuming facade betrays a rich historical trail. Back in the day, Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman intended the hotel to be a world-class accommodation for the distinguished guests who would be gracing the historic celebration that marked the handover of Malaya from the British.

Completed three days before the country’s independence in 1957, Federal Hotel’s first registered guest was British government official Nancy Simmons. Affectionately known as Bunny, she chauffeured Tunku during his official visits to negotiate Malaya’s independence in London. One of its famous guest was the former world heavyweight boxing champion, the late Muhammad Ali.

The hotel’s iconic restaurant, the Mandarin Palace was even featured in a Hollywood movie called “The Seventh Dawn” in 1964.

Federal Hotel
Address: 35, Bukit Bintang Street,
Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2148 9166

Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign

NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION – MERDEKA SQUARE, KUALA LUMPUR

In order to nurture the spirit of patriotism in all of us, let’s participate in the Fly the Jalur Gemilang, our national flag campaign. This year, the state of Melaka has been selected as the venue for the launch of the 2019 National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign scheduled for 3 Aug 2019.

In keeping with this year’s theme for National Day, which is “Sayangi Malaysiaku – Malaysia Bersih”, we can safely say that flying the Malaysian flag proudly can be a symbol of our love for the country. Jalur Gemilang should be given the utmost respect and dignity as it symbolises national sovereignty, unity and national pride.

So let’s fly our flag on our vehicles, office cubicles, houses, restaurants, hotels, etc throughout the whole month of August. Some tourists collected flag of the country they visited so this a good opportunity to get a free Jalur Gemilang to add to your flag collection.

Watching the Independence Day Parade

This coming 31 August 2019 marks the 62nd anniversary of Malaysia’s national independence. Known locally as Hari Kemerdekaan, it is the time of the year when Malaysians show their appreciation for yet another year of harmony among the people, and are reminded of their country’s struggle for independence.

This national event helps to educate the public, especially the younger generation, about the importance of racial tolerance, unity and cooperation so that the country can continue to enjoy prosperity, development and harmony.

The annual celebrations will not be complete without the pomp and splendour of the traditional procession. On Independence Day itself, the national day parade will take place at Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya at 7 am in the presence of Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Malaysia. The VIPs gracing the occasion are the Hon. Prime Minister of Malaysia, Malaysian cabinet ministers, foreign ambassadors and other dignitaries. Although Putrajaya is the celebration’s epicenter, expect smaller Hari Kemerdekaan celebrations all over the country to include parades and fireworks.

Among those who participate in this parade are government services such as the military, the police force, naval forces, public and private sectors’ staff and school children.

The day will be filled with a procession, cultural performances, military demonstration, intricate floats, and other interesting diversions. So, don your patriotic gear and grab a flag and start waving it!

The closing of Independence Month 2019 will be held in Kuching, Sarawak on 16 September, as it is the date that the federation of Malaysia was formed in 1963. Everyone can expect another lineup of fun patriotic activities that will pump up his/her patriotism.

Categories
Cuisine in Melaka

BUKIT CHINA : A HILL STEEPED IN LEGEND AND HISTORY

Published: Friday August 16, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Friday August 16, 2013 MYT 11:00:18 AM

Bukit China: A hill steeped in legend and history

BY M. VEERA PANDIYAN

VEERA@THESTAR.COM.MY

The Bukit China Chinese cemetery in Malacca is the oldest in the country.

Its name can be traced to a legendary Ming Dynasty princess who supposedly arrived from China to marry Mansur Shah, the sixth Sultan of Malacca who ruled Malacca from 1459 to 1477.

Bukit China (Chinese Hill) was originally an undulating jungle of three mounds — Bukit Tinggi, Bukit Gedong and Bukit Tempurong.

It apparently took on the name after the Sultan allowed the entourage of princess Hang Li Poh to settle around the foot of the main hill.

These days, there are doubts over the purported royal lineage of Hang Li Po, as there is no written evidence to show that she was indeed a princess.

The guesswork is that she might have been a daughter of one of the emperor’s concubines or even a royal handmaiden.

But there are no doubts about the special relationship between Malacca and China then.

According to the Ming Shi-lu (Veritable Records Of The Ming Dynasty), an envoy of Balimisura (Parameswara) went to China in 1405 to offer tribute and another arrived two years later, complaining about Siam’s aggression and seizure of his kingdom’s royal seal.

An example of past architecture at Bukit China.
The following year, Ming’s renowned admiral Zheng He (Cheng Ho) was sent to Malacca.

Parameswara gave another tribute to the emperor the following year after Siam stopped intimidating his kingdom.

The records also note that Parameswara arrived at the emperor’s court on Aug 4, 1411 with his family of 540 followers and that he was treated with respect and showered with banquets and impressive presents during his stay.

As for Sultan Mansur Shah, the palace where he supposedly lived with all his wives, including Hang Li Po, was said to be at the foot of Bukit Melaka (today’s St Paul’s Hill).

There is now a replica of the palace, which houses the Malacca Cultural Museum. It was built using three types of hardwood — cengal, rasak and belian (for the roof) — based on what was written in Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals).

It was written that the sultan ordered a well to be dug at Bukit China for the new immigrants. The well, Perigi Raja remains to this day and never dries up even during droughts.

Bukit China remained largely forested until the Portuguese built a chapel called Madre De Deus (Mother of God) and monastery at the top of the hill in 1581.

It was destroyed in an Achehnese attack in 1629. The Achehnese actually held Malacca for about eight months before the Portuguese won it back.

The monastery was rebuilt when the Achehnese were finally defeated with the deaths of prominent warriors, including Panglima Pidi whose grave, known as keramat panjang (long sacred grave) remains on Bukit China.

There are about 20 other Muslim graves nearby and the area used to be a favourite haunt of those seeking “spiritual help” for four-digit numbers during the 60s and early 70s.

In addition to the beach at Tanjung Kling, it was also an alternative site for the then popular Mandi Safar festival which was banned as “unIslamic” activities during the 80’s.

Bukit China became a Chinese cemetery in 1685 when Lee Wei King, the then “Kapitan China” of Malacca, bought the three hills from the Dutch and renamed them as “San Pao Shan” (Three Gems Hill or Three Protections Hill). He placed it under the trust of the Cheng Hoon Teng temple.

Reputedly the oldest remaining traditional Chinese burial ground in the world with 12,500 graves, Bukit China remained largely unknown and mostly overgrown until about this time of the year, 29 years ago.

All hell literally broke loose during the Hungry Ghosts Festival in 1984, when the Malacca Government announced its plans to develop the 42ha hill into a housing and commercial centre in July 1984.

The then Chief Minister, (now Tan Sri) Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik, gave three options — development of the hill solely by the Chinese community, joint development by the state and community or development by the state.

The plan sparked anger and outrage throughout the country, moving the diverse community to come together to preserve a heritage symbolising their earliest ancestors links to the country.

When the trustees of the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple conducted a survey to gauge public response on the development proposal, 553 associations and close to 300,000 people replied with a resounding no, against a mere 73 who agreed.

The country’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, was among those against the plan, lending more weight to calls for its preservation.

Representatives of political parties urged the then PM (now Tun) Dr Mahathir Mohamad to intervene and resolve the politically explosive and racially divisive issue.

As Carolyn Cartier, professor of geography and urban studies at the University of Technology, Sydney noted in her book, Globalising South China, the Save Bukit China campaign achieved ethnic and class representation and became a national movement, the first to grow to such proportions in the history of the country.

The State government eventually relented and has since been promoting Bukit China as part of its rich cultural heritage.

Today, the hill has become a recreational ground where joggers have carved out a track between graves. It has also become a valuable green lung for the city, offering great views from the peak.

The Chinese living around the area, covering Jalan Bukit China, Lorong Bukit China, Jalan Temenggong, Kampung Bukit China and nearby Banda Kaba, are referred to as the “San Pao Ching” community, in reference to several old wells in the area, seven of which were said to be dug during the time of Zheng He.

In addition to a hike up the hill, among the must-see sights for tourists are the Poh San Teng temple, built in 1795 by another Kapitan China, Chua Su Cheong and the Chinese War Memorial, located next to it.

The cenotaph to remember those who were brutally killed during the Japanese Occupation consists of an obelisk inscribed with Chinese calligraphy mounted on a raised platform with a Kuomintang flag at the top.

Thousands were killed after Malacca fell to the Japanese on Jan 15, 1942. The horror stories include burying victims alive and the killing of babies by throwing them up into the air and stabbing them with bayonets as they fell.

Categories
Cuisine in Melaka

MELAKA MILLIONAIRES’ ROW

Malacca’s Millionaires’ Row
Posted on June 7, 2013 – Featured, Property News.
OUR STREET HERITAGE
By M. Veera Pandiyan
veera@thestar.com.my

Looking around: Tourists soaking in the sights in Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock.

JONKER Street, or Jalan Hang Jebat, is possibly the most famous road in Malacca, thanks to Jonker Walk which attracts hordes of tourists from all over the world.

But the road running parallel to it – Heeren Street – has a more interesting history and richer architectural charms.

Heeren Street, or Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, was once the place to live for those who made it to the top.

Originally called “Kampung Belanda” (Dutch Village), it ended up with the nickname of “Millionaires’ Row” because of its well-heeled residents.

The narrow street with houses adorned with ornately decorated façades was the choice neighbourhood for the prosperous Straits-born Chinese (Peranakan or Babas and Nyonyas) in the mid-19th and early 20th century.

These affluent folks competed with each other to build the most flamboyant of houses, many of which stand to this day.

Quite a number have been fully restored to their former glory and turned into highly popular boutique hotels, museums, galleries, restaurants and cafes.

Walking into these places is like going back in time to the era of Malacca’s occupation by the Dutch.

A classic example to visit is Number 8, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, a shophouse built in the 1700s.

It has been painstakingly renovated by Badan Warisan (Malaysia’s National Trust) with a grant from the US Embassy.

Entry is free but donations are welcome.

The grandest of them all: The Chee Mansion was built by the first chairman of the OCBC.

While Jonker Street (from the Dutch Jonghheer) was named after a place for “young noblemen” who had not quite made it to the upper level of nobility.

Heeren Street (originally Heeren straat), was for the “gentlemen” or “masters” in the upper crust of society.

The characteristic features of most buildings are high roofs, floors and corridors lined with intricate tiles, teak front doors carved with family names or mottos in gold calligraphy.

Most windows are also beautifully decorated with motifs while some homes even have decorated roofs with image of dragons, birds and flowers.

The houses on the street are rather narrow and small when viewed from the outside but are long and spacious inside.

This is because the houseowners then were taxed on the width of the buildings instead of the total area.

Most of them have open courtyards to provide ventilation and light. Some even have small wells to draw water or ponds to collect rainwater from the roof.

The street was home to famous Malacca Babas, including Tan Kim Seng, one of the pioneers in the development of Singapore, and Tan Chay Yan, who was Malaya’s first rubber planter in 1896.

Tan Kim Seng or Baba Kim Seng, who amassed a great fortune in Singapore, built a bridge across the Singapore River which is now named after him.

He also donated money for a bridge, named after him in Malacca, and for the famous Clocktower in front of Christ Church in the Dutch Square.

Tan Kim Seng’s stately ancestral home, built in 1822, is the present Hotel Puri.

When it was the home of Kim Seng, there was a menagerie behind with many animals, including a tiger.

The grandest house in “Millionaires’ Row” is the Chee Mansion, which stands majestically directly opposite Hotel Puri.

The breathtaking building is a Dutch era architectural gem, complete with a fairy-tale inspired watchtower.

It was built by tycoon and philanthropist Chee Swee Cheng, the first chairman of the Overseas Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC).

As it was run almost entirely by the Baba’s in the old days, OCBC was jokingly referred to as Orang China Bukan China.

Chee Swee Cheng built the mansion at 117 Heeren Street as a dedication to his father, Chee Yam Chuan.

The Chee Mansion, also known as the Chee Yam Chuan Temple, is used as the family’s ancestral home.

But “Millionaires’ Row” bears the name of an outstanding fifth-generation Baba and one of the country’s illustrious early leaders.

Tun Tan Cheng Lock, who co-founded the MCA in 1949, was born at house number 111.

The dignified family home was where the country’s first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tan held many discussions before Merdeka.

His son, Tun Tan Siew Sin, was Malaya’s first Commerce and Indus try Minister before being the longest serving Finance Minister for 15 years.

He was also the third president of the MCA after his father and Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu.

It may not be as hectic as Jonker Street where the tourists to Malacca throng but Heeren Street oozes more history, old-world charm and provides amazing sights and stories.

Categories
Wonderful Malaysia

Merdeka Day

What is there to do in Malaysia at Merdeka Day? What is the place to be in Kuala Lumpur?

The 31st of August is a date that bears a great significance to all Malaysians. During the month of August, the Malaysian flag known locally as the ‘Jalur Gemilang’ which, loosely translated, means Stripes of Glory, can be seen literally everywhere be it on a lamppost, on top of a car, waving in the hands of patriotic Malaysian children and so forth. This seasonal rise in the nation’s love for its country is attributed quite obviously to the independence of Malaysia and the 31st of August is fondly referred to by all Malaysians as Hari Merdeka; the day the country’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, commemorated the independence of the Federation of Malaya way back in 1957. More than half a century on, it is only natural for such a significant date to still be remembered and this time of the year is also a delight to locals and tourists alike as Hari Merdeka prompts a festive spirit that decorates the country with wonderful displays of culture and tradition in the form of various public events and celebrations organized all across the country.

malaysian car with flag

Malaysia is known for its many festivities that come with its multicultural society and Malaysians are not the kind to shy away from celebration. Hence, Merdeka, like any other national holiday or festive season, is a colorful and festive time whereby the streets will be strewn with all sorts of patriotically inclined events especially in more central areas such as main townships and of course the capital itself, Kuala Lumpur. The buildup to Merdeka Day is usually very visual, with decorations, mostly involving the Malaysian flag, gracing the exteriors and very likely the interiors of almost every building in the country. The flashiest and most elaborate decorations in conjunction with Merdeka can be found within the country’s many shopping malls and this basically applies to most festivities celebrated in Malaysia. Quite simply, the arrival of Hari Merdeka is one of those times that adds a visual flair to the already interesting everyday backdrop of the colorful country.

merdeka square independance flag malaysia

Like almost anywhere in the world, the children of Malaysia are nurtured to be patriotically inclined from the ground up and when Merdeka comes around, these efforts naturally intensify and this is yet another phenomenon observable from the average Malaysian street. Weeks before the day arrives, plenty of activities will take place for the Malaysian young which range from cross country events to performances such as concerts or competitions organized corresponding to the theme of Malaysia’s independence. These activities are usually organized in public which would allow the local community, passersby and tourists alike to all soak up the patriotic atmosphere channeled through the generation of tomorrow.

merdeka square malaysia

It is only fitting that the highlight of Merdeka takes place on the day of its declaration itself. On the 31st of August, all Malaysian states will organize a local Merdeka Parade. Among those who participate in this parade are government services such as the military, the police force, naval forces and so forth. It is also very common to see school children participating; another sign of how the nation’s younger generation takes pride in the independence of the country. From an audience’s point of view, the spectacles to look out for in these parades would be the beautiful floats that are a must every time Merdeka comes around. The main events of these nationwide parades usually take place at night whereby a series of on-stage performances are organized to end the significant day on a high note. It is commonplace for local celebrities to participate in these events annually. Every year, various states take turns in organizing the national parade which would usually oversee the attendance of the country’s Prime Minister and the Sultan among many other high profile attendees. On a general note however, the flagship parade is obviously the one that takes place in the capital, Kuala Lumpur as the location where this takes place, Merdeka Square, is the very location the word ‘Merdeka’ was chanted seven times by Tunku Abdul Rahman himself in 1957, signifying a new beginning for the Federation of Malaya; a new beginning that led to Malaysia as we know it today.

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