JALUR GEMILANG- FLAG OF MALAYSIA

The flag of Malaysia was first raised on September 16, 1963, originated from the flag of the Federation of Malaya. The idea of having a national flag was arise after the British started to administer the eleven states of Malaya as a single entity. Prior to that, each state in Malaya creates its own flag.

The flag of Malaysia is named Jalur Gemilang which means “Stripes of Excellence” in Malay. It was named in 1997 by Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohammad, the Prime Minister at that time. Tun declared the name as representing Malaysia’s goal to strive for progress and success. Basically, Malayan flag was designed by Mohamed Hamzah, a 29-year-old architect who worked for the Public Works Department (JKR) in Johor Bahru, Johor. 

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad

Before Malaysian flag was design, Mohamed Hamzah had design another two different flags.  The first design was a green flag with blue kris in the middle, surrounded by 15 white stars while the second design was similar to the current flag but with a five-pointed star.

Our Malayan flag now was approved by King George VI on 19 May 1950 and was first raised in front of Istana Selangor on 26 May 1950. On 31 August 1957, it was raised upon independence at Merdeka Square in place of the British Union Flag.

Jalur Gemilang

Currently, Malaysian flag has 14 red and white striped horizontal striped of the same width. It begins with a red stripe on the top and ends with a white stripe at the bottom, These represent 13 nations  which are Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Pulau Pinang, Perak, Perlis, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu and the Federal Government.

A dark blue portion on the left symbolizes unity amongst the people of Malaysia while crescent moon, signifies the Islam religion as the official religion of the country. Plus, star with 14 points represents harmony and unity of 13 states and a federal government. Lastly, colour yellow on the crescent moon and star is a royal colour of the venerable Kings of the country, which are considered head of the religion and respective states excluding Sabah, Sarawak and Pulau Pinang.                                                                    

References:

http://famouswonders.com/flag-of-malaysia/

http://flagspot.net/flags/my.html

INDEPENDENCE DAY : 1957- PRESENT

Independence Day is a national day of Malaysia commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule. It is celebrated on August 31. In a wider context, it is to celebrate the formation of Malaysia in the early 1950's. The British granted independence to Malaya in 1957 in Kuala Lumpur's Merdeka Square.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj

Tunku Abdul Rahman became the first Prime Minister of Malaya. In 1961,"Malaysia" was born after Tunku Abdul Rahman convinced Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak to join Malaya in a federal union. Indonesia's president Sukharno afraid that the union would interfere with his expansionistic plans so he launched attacks against Malaysia in Borneo and on the peninsula, through which all of the attacks were unsuccessful.

On the glorious day, crowds gathered to witness the handover of power from the British. The Queen’s representative, the Duke of Gloucester presented Tunku Abdul Rahman with the instrument of independence. Then, Tunku proceeded to read the Proclamation of Independence, which culminated in the chanting of “MERDEKA” (seven times) with the crowd joining in. The new Flag of Malaya was raised as the national anthem “Negaraku” (My Country) was played.

On the glorious day

Malaysia was now a mix of people from many races and cultures, and uniting them all was no small effort. Since the Malays represented the majority, the constitution gave them a permanent position as head of the government. Plus, Islam was made as the national religion and Malay as the national language.

Since independence, Malaysia has undergone tremendous growth and prosperity and has arguably made significant progress in race relations. Many attribute that the country's success lead to the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohammed, who led the country from 1981 through 2003. 

References:

http://www.holidaysnfestivals.com/2012/05/malaysian-independence-day-hari-merdeka.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hari_Merdeka

DATO' BAHAMAN , PAHANG 'S NATIONAL WARRIOR

Abdul Rahman or best known as Dato’ Bahaman was a famous Malay warrior in Pahang during the British protectorate. He was a son of Tuanku Imam Nuh of Bangkinang and Rokiah Andul Rahman, daughter of Tok Setia Perkasa Semantan whom a Bugis descent hailing from Southern Sulawesi. Well known  as Seman among his family members and friends, he was an expert at the martial arts such as “silat”. Plus, people believed that he also can be invisible.

Dato' Bahaman

 Because of his abilities, people called him as “Seman Tahan” through which the unnamed river in vicinity was also known as “Sungai Seman Tahan”. Later, the river becomes the route in which British passing by. A rebellion then occurred due to the dissatisfaction of the Dato’ Bahaman and local leaders towards the intrusion of British over their territories.

It has been said that the hostility between Dato’ Bahaman and British had begun since 1890 but in became worse in 1891. Temerloh Colonial Officer, E.A Wise wanted to build a police station in Lubuk Terua without prior consultation of the formers which incurred the wrath of Dato’ Bahaman himself. Because of this matter, Sultan summoned Dato’ Bahaman to go to Pekan on advice of Hugh Clifford a Pahang’s Deputy Resident of British but Dato’ Bahaman refused. As the result, Sultan released a letter to dispel his position and rank as Orang Kaya Semantan.

Dato’ Bahaman made a decision to retaliate by ambushing C.E.M Desborough and his people on 1891. The attack was carried out because Dato’ Bahaman thought that C.E.M Desborough had come to capture him. Desborough’s party then escaped to Temerloh while  British officers started to prepare their armies in order to strike back at the Malay rebels. Still because of him, Pahang now has become a well known state and the largest state in Peninsula Malaysia.

References: 

http://www.necf.org.my/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=45&parentid=144&action=view&retrieveid=707

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dato'_Bahaman

HISTORY OF MALACCA

Malacca in Malaysia

Before Malaysia becomes one of the most stable countries in the worldwide, Malaysia actually was controlled by small dozens of kingdoms. By 671 century, most of the area was incorporated into the Srivijaya Empire, which was based on Indonesian Sumatra. Srivijaya Empire was a maritime empire that controlled Malacca and Sunda Straits, the two key narrows on the Indian Ocean Trade routes.

 Malacca was actually a fishing village inhabited by local Malays before it was founded in the 13th century by a descendant of the Srivijayan royal family named Parameswara. He found Malacca during his flight to escape from the Emperor of Majapahit whom he had unsuccessfully tried to overthrown. Plus, he named it “Malacca” after the name of tree that he had taken shelter which is “pokok Melaka”. 

The early Arab traders then brought Islam to Malacca which contribute to Parameswara converted to Islam from Hinduism and automatically changed his name to Sultan Iskandar Shah.

Malacca Sultanate' palace

Perfectly located for trade, Malacca was both known as influential and prosperous state within 50 years which made it becomes the first powerful state that centred in the Malaysia. Malacca was an important port for traders because most traders from greatest kingdoms especially China's admiral named Zheng He and early Portuguese explorers like Diogo Lopes de Sequeira who come to barter goods and spices. Plus, secured storehouses facilities were provided for the traders in order to store their goods from the interior and abroad.

Because of its strategic location, Malacca was surrounded by many powerful kingdoms such as Portuguese, Dutch Empire, British Empire and Japanese. However, still in 1989, Malacca has been declared as Malaysia's history city. Success brought prosperity, wealth and power to the Malacca. As the results, Malacca controlled the entire west coast of the Malaysia Peninsula, the kingdom of Pahang, and much of Sumatra even though it is the smallest state after Perlis and Penang.

Malacca' historical place, A Famosa fort

References :

http://www.2malaysia.com/malacca/history.htm

http://www.malaccaguide.com/history_of_malacca.html

INTRODUCTION OF MALAYSIA

Malaysian's map

   Malaysia is a country in South East Asia which situated at strategic sea lane. Plus, Malaysia has a total landmass of 329,847 square kilometres. It is separated by the South China Sea into two regions which are Peninsula Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. The most interesting past is land borders are shared with Thailand, Indonesia, and Brunei while maritime borders exist with Singapore, Vietnam and Phillippines.

        It consists thirteen of beautiful states and three federal territories. Thirteen states are Kedah, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Johor Bahru, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Selangor, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak while another three federal territories include Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan. Each of these states has their own unique historical stories, head of state and own constitution.

STATES 

   

                     Perlis- the smallest state in Malaysia.

   

Kedah-can be known as the rice bowlstate.

   

                       Penang-the only state that occupied  
                                island and part of mainland.

 

                      Perak- the second largest state in 
                              Peninsula of Malaysia.

  

Selangor- the state that surround federal  

                                       territories.          

   

Negeri Sembilan- an inland state.

   

Melaka- known because of its unique 

                                        history.

 

Johor Bahru- the southernmost state in 

                              Peninsula of Malaysia.

  

Pahang- the largest state in Peninsula of 

                                      Malaysia.

 

           Kelantan- well known for Malay handiwork   and silver work.

 

Terengganu- the most Malay of all states.

 

   Sabah- one of the most expensive places.

 

       Sarawak- known as the states with economy.

FEDERAL TERRITORIES

 

Labuan- formerly part of Sabah.

 

Putrajaya- a Malaysia'a new administrative 

                                                                 capital.

 

Kuala Lumpur- a modern city.

References:

http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/States-of-Malaysia.htm

http://www.malaysia.gov.my/EN/Main/MsianGov/StateGovAndFederalTerritories/Pages/StateGovAndFederalTerritories.aspx

WELCOME READERS

Welcome to my new blog. This is an educational blog and I did this for my Digital and Mobile Communication subject. This blog provides the readers with lots of knowledge and idea about the history of Malaysia, a peaceful and beautiful country. Although Malaysia used to be a tributary country but still because of the passion from the past warriors, Malaysia has now become one of the most stable country in the worldwide.  Also, through this blog readers will be aware with the history of states such as Melaka. Besides, readers will be given an opportunity to know more deeply about the influential and famous warriors like Dato Bahaman.