How is Merdeka celebrated? | By Abigail Poh Lin Xian

by - August 31, 2025

by @huey._.06

Merdeka is celebrated by Malaysians on 31st August every year. It calls to mind the birth of our brand new nation all the way back in 1957, as Tunku Abdul Rahman declared Malaya (now Malaysia) an independent, free nation with the now iconic chants of ‘Merdeka!’ This year marks the 68th anniversary of our country. So, to celebrate, here are some of the ways to celebrate this special day in our history!

Jalur Gemilang

Photo by Lite

Displaying the Jalur Gemilang is probably one of the most straightforward yet significant ways of showing our patriotism. As we slowly move closer to the 31st of August, you will have likely noticed that our flag is popping up everywhere, from places of worship to apartments and even various LRT stations! Our nation’s flag consists of four colours: white, red, yellow and blue. This striking colour combination is actually rich in meaning and symbolism. Red stands for bravery, blue represents unity of the people, yellow is the colour of royalty, and finally white signifies purity. The crescent is a representation of Islam, Malaysia’s official religion, while the 14-pointed star shows the unity of the 13 states and the federal government that make up our country. As the Jalur Gemilang is a bold symbol of our country, we should wave it enthusiastically when Merdeka rolls around!


Merdeka Parade

Photo by TripSavvy

Every year, the Merdeka Parade is usually held at the Independence Square located in Kuala Lumpur to commemorate the independence of Malaysia. This is the very same location that the first parade was held all the way back in 1957! The celebration includes marches by the police and the Malaysian Armed Forces, a performance of Negaraku, the national anthem, by the military band, raising of the flag and recitation of the Rukun Negara, and of course, patriotic performances demonstrating the culture of Malaysia through song and dance. The Merdeka Parade is significant as it pays tribute to the sacrifices of historical leaders in order to achieve independence, making it a must-see during Merdeka!

Patriotic songs

Photo by CNA Lifestyle

Patriotic songs are often sung in schools as part of Merdeka celebrations. Chances are, you’ve experienced the unforgettable feeling of singing along with all your friends and classmates while waving the Jalur Gemilang together! Classics such as Jalur Gemilang, Keranamu Malaysia and of course, Setia are some of the most iconic songs that are a must to celebrate our independence. Tanggal 31, covered by Sudirman (pictured above) and originally written by Ahmad C. B., remains one of the most beloved patriotic songs to this date. Grab your friends and family, blast some patriotic music and sing along together for a fun celebration!


Wearing the national colours
 
Photo by The Star

The Malaysian flag has four colours: red, blue, yellow and white. Being mostly primary colours, the national colour palette definitely stands out. Eye-catching clothing is often customised and styled to show national pride when Merdeka arrives, with a scroll through social media pages during August undoubtedly revealing the creativity of Malaysians in creating patriotic outfits. While clothing made out of the Jalur Gemilang has become fashionable, it is advisable to avoid doing this as the flag should be respected and flown on its own. Instead, outfits incorporating the national colours can be worn to pay tribute to our country!

Fireworks 

Photo by Motorist Malaysia

What Malaysian celebration is complete without fireworks? Every time we celebrate any festival or occasion, fireworks are guaranteed to be on the menu. For an extra special night, head to KL with your loved ones to celebrate Merdeka! The sight of beautiful fireworks next to our iconic monuments and historical buildings will certainly rouse your patriotic spirits.


Although Merdeka is only celebrated once every year, we should feel proud of our country every day. Malaysia is an incredibly unique landscape with so many races, religions, cuisines and cultures to offer. Brimming with rich heritage, history and vibrant spirit, Malaysia is a beautiful country we should be proud of living in. Selamat Hari Merdeka!



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