16 September 1963 – A Nation is Born

The Straits Times, 16 September 1963.

On the historic midnight of 16 September 1963, a profound and unforgettable chapter in our nation's story began. The birth of Malaysia was more than just a political achievement; it was the realisation of the hopes, dreams, and determination of millions across the land. From the joyful streets of Penang and the colourful festivities in Sabah and Sarawak, to the symbolic ceremonies in Singapore, we stood united in the spirit of brotherhood, ready to embrace a shared destiny.

In the words of our beloved Bapa Malaysia, Tengku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj, "we have come together through our own free will and desire in the true spirit of brotherhood and love of freedom." Let us take a step back in time and read about this historic moment published in The Straits Times on Monday, 16 September 1963.

Hail Malaysia
Midnight – and the new nation is born

Hundreds of thousands in 14 states stay late to usher in new day with crackers: Tengku spends quiet evening in residency

By Felix Abisheganaden
Kuala Lumpur, Monday, 16 September 1963

Intermittent cracker-firing at midnight last night ushered in Malaysia. Hundreds of thousands of people jammed the gaily-decorated streets in all the 14 States till late in the night to greet the birth of the new nation.

The Prime Minister, Tengku Abdul Rahman, spent the evening quietly in the residency.

In all States colourful parades will be held this morning when the new Malaysia flag with 14 stars will be ceremoniously unfurled.

Singapore's big moment will come when the proclamation is read on the City Hall steps at 5 p.m.

Proclamation

In Kuala Lumpur an inaugural ceremony will take place at 8 a.m. The proclamation itself will be read on Tuesday evening at the Merdeka Stadium.

This ceremony was put back one day so that heads of all the new States may be present.

Jesselton (Sabah) and Kuching (Sarawak) will hold proclamation ceremonies and parades at 7.30 a.m.

All the major towns in the 14 Malaysian States took on a carnival atmosphere yesterday. In Jesselton, gaily-dressed Kadazan teenagers went around on bicycles and on foot in a care-free mood.

In Kuching, workmen were busy putting final touches to large "Hidup Malaysia" arches and in Singapore people of all ages eagerly awaited the big moment.

The Federal capital, which becomes the Malaysian capital from today, was jammed with thousands of cars all yesterday with motorists driving bumper to bumper along Jalan Raja to see the gaily-decorated Moorish-style Government buildings.

Thousands of people in night clubs, cabarets and attended Malaysia dances to see the "new day" in.

At the Selangor Club in Kuala Lumpur, people of all races, in gay spirit, drank "Happy Malaysia" toasts as the Secretariat clock opposite chimed the midnight hour and signalled in Malaysia.

Throughout the day, the Tengku received messages from leaders of countries as far apart as Denmark and France in the West to Ceylon and India in the East.

Gifts

Early this morning, he played nine holes of golf with Thailand's Foreign Minister, Tun Thanat Khoman, the Thai Ambassador here, Nai Thitinant Na Ranong, and the Australian High Commissioner, Mг. Т. K. Critchley.

Later he received more than 20 foreign representatives who will be attending the celebrations. In a jovial mood, the Tengku surprised his guests by presenting each one of them with a silver mounted kris.

Afterwards he went around asking for 10-cents from each visitor. According to Malay custom, one must never make an outright gift of a weapon. All guests paid up happily.

The special representative from Vietnam, Mr. Ngoh Trong Hieu, stayed behind with the Vietnam Charge D'Affairs, Mr. Tran Kim Phoung.

He presented the Tengku with a black lacquer cocktail cabinet inlaid with mother of pearl and a lacquer painting – a gift from President Ngo Dinh Diem.

Later, the Tengku received three personal guests from Britain Miss Bunny Simmons who always drives the Prime Minister's car in London; Inspector R. Ellis of Scotland Yard, who always "shadows" the Tengku in London; and Miss D. Monreal, a protocol officer from the Commonwealth Relations Office

This is Miss Simmon's second trip to Malaya at the Tengku's invitation. She was here in 1957 for the Merdeka celebrations.

At noon, special representatives from Thailand, Gen. Tun Thanom Kitikachorn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Tun Thanat Khoman called on the Tengku with "cordial greetings and warm felicitations" from the Thai Prime Minister, Srisdi Dhanarajaht, and the Government of Thailand.

They presented the Tengku elephant tusks enclosing a suspended, inlaid bronze gong.

In a Malaysia Day message, the Tengku said that firm in their resolve for nationhood, the peoples of Malaysia looked forward with confidence to a future of peace and prosperity, harmony and happiness.

"We do so because we know that we have come together through our own free will and desire in the true spirit of brotherhood and love of freedom.

"We have made our decision after much care and thought, finally arriving at mutual consent by debate and discussion, inquiries and elections held over two and half years.

"Proud"

"We can feel proud, indeed, of the way we have created Malaysia through friendly argument and compromise. The spirit of co-operation and concord is living proof of the desire we share for a common destiny."

The Tengku then traced Malaya's "road to nationhood" which, he said, had contained surprises, disappointments, tension and crisis.

"The peoples of Malaysia, however," he added, "have endured all trials and tribulations with confidence and patience, calmness and forbearance, with faith in our final goal-Malaysia."

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The birth of Malaysia on 16 September 1963 was a moment of triumph, a testament to the resolve and unity of its people. As we have seen in the historic press clipping, the celebrations that night were filled with hope and pride. Yet, even as fireworks lit the skies and the Malaysian flag was raised, the journey was not without its challenges. On the very same day, Indonesia and the Philippines made the decision not to recognise the new state, casting early shadows over Malaysia’s formation. Brunei, initially included in the planning, withdrew before the federation was complete. In August 1965, Singapore seceded from the federation and became an independent republic. These diplomatic tensions were stark reminders that nation-building is a complex and evolving process. Despite these early trials, Malaysia has endured and flourished, proving that the spirit of cooperation and the values of unity, peace and mutual respect, as championed by Bapa Malaysia, Tengku Abdul Rahman, are stronger than any obstacle.

As we reflect on the historic birth of Malaysia, we honour the vision and determination of those who paved the way. Today, as Malaysians, we must continue to move forward, guided by the ideals that brought us together on that fateful midnight in 1963. Hail Malaysia!