I understand the proponents who want to make September 16 as important a day as August 31. August 31 was the day our country (Malaya as it was then) was declared independent from the British. September 16 was the day Malaysia was formed when Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore joined Malaya.
If you want to be technical about it, Malaysia as a nation only came into being on 16 September 1963. So, Malaysia isn’t technically 50 years for another 6 years but the original states in Malaya are. That is, if you want to be technical.
I used to be bugged by this too.
However, I now rationalize it this way. Malaya attained its independence on 31 August 1957. When other states joined in later, they attained their independence, but the country they joined was already independent. Therefore, it would be awkward to celebrate independence twice.
Just look at the USA as an example. When the Declaration of Independence was signed on 4 July, the existing 13 states at the time that formed the USA attained their independence. However, the other states did not join the USA until much later, with Hawaii joining only in 1959 and I’m quite sure, not every one of them joined on July 4th.
So, all I’d say to this is that there is only one Independence day and that is the one day we should be thankful for. After all, its only 2 states that joined on 16 September vs 12 that were already independent on 31 August. Majority wins right? 
Some other Related posts:
- Where’s the fire?
- Manchester United will not play in Malaysia
- Stormy weather ahead
- Ogos 31 (August 31)
- Independence Twit (twit)
8 comments ↓
I wouldn’t mind two, then we’d get 2 public holidays! teehee!
Hahaha… can I second May on that? I want more public holidays!
I have an issue with this people started calling it Malaysia’s 50th anniversary. To me, it’s 50 years of independence, but Malaysia’s 43th anniversary.
sorry, should be 44th anniversary.
I too would not mind 2, but only for the holidays!
May: True about the holidays.
Rinnah: I honestly think we have too many already!
Leah: You echo everything I used to feel. However, I’d say its Malaysia’s 44th birthday but its 50th Independance day.
Giddy Tiger: Hehe… consensus!
I think your argument is impeccable. Though I would not mind more holidays in the states for each state as it entered the union.
Don’t think East Malaysia ‘joined’, we merely ‘merged’..