After the visit to London by ol’ Tunku Abdul Rahman, many Malayan (not known as Malaysian yet) gathered at the Merdeka Stadium awaiting words they long to be uttered ever since their soil was visited by foreign power. These words made into phrases was to congratulate them of their country spirit and declaration for the country’s independence from the British empire.
That day was on 31st August 1957; where Tunku Abdul Rahman stood on a podium with several other British officers seated behind him facing the abrupt Malayan crowd. When his speech had ended, he shouted this word continuously that is now one of the most celebrated words of our country.
He shouted, “MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA!”
(mer-de-ka is the Malayan translation for freedom).
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