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