The Malaysia Story

The story of Merdeka is not one that begins and ends on the 31st of August 1957. It is a story that lives through time and inspires us even today.

‘Merdeka!’

31st August 1957. A single event in history marked the clear dividing line between the end of one era and the beginning of another. On that date, what had until then been a territory under foreign rule became a newly born nation, granted the opportunity to chart its own destiny.

A quest fought by our forefathers since 1511 culminated in that day over 400 years later. Together with the people of Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia continued to progress, through the tireless efforts of its people.

This progress was nurtured by visionaries who dedicated their lives to building a better Malaysia. These individuals exemplified the essence of excellence through their contributions and they continue to inspire Malaysians to follow in their footsteps.

Malaysia has come a long way since then, but the struggle continues. A new generation of Malaysians is needed to enhance Malaysia’s standing as a dynamic and competitive 21st Century global player in all key sectors, from Science and Technology to the Arts.

A common strand ties the luminaries of the past and the present, namely their shared ideals and their will to excel. With this in mind, this section has been created to honour the legacy of our forefathers. We hope that you will be inspired by their stories.

“A new star rises in the eastern sky – a star of freedom for yet another Asian people. A new hope comes into being, a dream long cherished now materialises.”

Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj Malaysia’s First Prime Minister