In the summer of 1957,
I was in Austria with friends on a holiday. Studying at that time at
London University, the summer vacations were spent visiting places. That
was a year to remember. We as students had been following the
discussions and negotiations with the Colonial Government by the
Malaysian team led by the Tunku. When news broke out that Malaya would at last be granted independence, we were jubilant. Our small group from Malaya in Austria broke into tears of joy and gratitude. The full impact of this news we hadn`t fully realized. It took us a few days before its significance began to dawn upon us. It brought back memories of the tireless efforts by our founding fathers, beginning with Onn Jaafar right up to the Tunku. We had heard that he had made tireless efforts travelling
throughout the country getting people to understand and support
independence fully. He had endured much hardship during those times
sacrificing homely comforts and the company of his family. To us the Tunku was synonymous with independence. These were the thoughts going through our minds on that day. We had seen the Tunku in London during the past months in negotiations with people at the Colonial Office and were impressed by his easy manner. We saw that he was
very clear and firm on his stand and terms. He and his team stood
their ground and convinced the British that they had come with a united
voice, echoing the wishes of the people of Malaya.
From Britain we followed what happened on the night of Merdeka Day when Malaya became independent at the stroke of midnight at the Royal Selangor Club padang. There was two minutes of darkness when lights were turned off. At the stroke of midnight the lights were turned on again. The Union Jack was lowered and the new flag of Malaya was raised accompanied by the Negaraku, the National Anthem. Seven chants of Merdeka followed. “A great moment in the lives of the Malayan people”, the Tunku said. In the morning,
festivities continued at the Merdeka Stadium. More than 20,000 people
had gathered together with rulers of the Malay States, foreign
dignitaries, and cabinet members. Representing the Queen was the Duke of
Gloucester in his colonial uniform. He handed the Instrument of
Independence. The Tunku read out the declaration and chanted Merdeka
seven times with the crowds joining in. As the national flag of Malaya
was raised the National Anthem played followed by a 21 gun salute. Ceremonies concluded with a Thanksgiving Prayer. The ceremony to install the first Yang di Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Rahman of Negeri Sembilan was conducted. We wished we could have witnessed all this first hand. Nevertheless, we were exuberant and longed to return home to a free Malaya. This I did after completing my studies.
A Merdeka Poem
1957, 31st August
Remembered as the greatest
Our destiny for us cast
Nationhood gained at last.
With friends in Austria on a holiday
News of independence made our day
Tears of joy from us streaming
Happy but not fully understanding.
With full impact dawning
Woke us up to its full meaning
Tireless efforts of founding fathers
Tunku, step by step, did not falter.
Merdeka, seven times resounding
Malaya to this call awakening
Malays, Chinese, Indians all rejoicing
A new star in the eastern sky
A star of freedom rising high.
When all this happened, a long way away
Wished we were in Malaya that day
The National Anthem and Rukunegara
Binding us under God and a shining star.
Every sentiment having meaning
In all times sustaining
We are alive and well today
Because in harmony we live every day.
Best place in the world for unity
For our continued wellbeing and harmony
A beautiful land for all to see
With forests, rivers, beaches and seas.
M P Prabhakar
PJ
22.8.2016
