Malaysia Day (Hari Malaysia) Date in the current year: September 16, 2024

In 1957, the Federation of Malaya achieved independence from the United Kingdom. In 1961, Prime Minister of Malaya Tunku Abdul Rahman began to promote the idea of forming the new state, Malaysia, that would comprise Malaya, Brunei, North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore. However, Brunei decided to withdraw from the merger due to a number of reasons.

After negotiations with the British government, it was decided that Malaysia would be created on August 31, 1963 (the sixth anniversary of Malayan independence). However, due to the opposition of the governments of Indonesia and Philippines, the formation of the federation was delayed until September 16 of the same year.

Originally the federation of Malaysia comprised Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, and North Borneo, but Singapore was expelled from the federation in 1965.

Malaysia Day was officially designated as a public holiday in October 2009. Thus Malaysians celebrate two national holidays dedicated to their country's independence.