51st Anniversary of Malaysia Independence Day-Merdeka Day-31st August 2008

Proclamation of Malaysia Independence Day-31st August 1957

1st Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj
Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Each year the shouts of independence echo from every nook and corner of the country on August 31 to mark Merdeka Day or Independence Day.

This year, the nation celebrates its 51st year of independence. It was on August 30, 1957 that then Chief Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj opened Stadium Merdeka. The next day, history was made as the Union Jack was lowered and the Malaysian flag rose, with Tunku Abdul Rahman making the famous rallying cries "Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!" as the first Prime Minister of the Federation of Malaya.

Merdeka Day not only celebrates the anniversary of Malaysia’s independence, but how that independence was achieved. Malaysia brought itself together by transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries, and has maintained respect and unity amongst its diverse nation of people throughout the past 51 years.

So, all Rotarians & friends let's celebrate Merdeka on 31st August 2008 (Sunday) and anyway if you are out the whole night long, don't worry as the next day-Monday is a replacement holiday... Wow all of us would have a long weekend holidays from 30th August to 01st September 2008..so what's the plan ?

Happy Merdeka Day Celebration to all Malaysian from all of us from The Rotary Club of Tanjung Bungah,Penang.