Major events of this period
The historic moment when the new nation’s flag was raised came at 8.20a.m.
The packed Merdeka stadium was hushed as the Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, lifted the folded flag from a silver tray and handed it to his son, Capt.Tengku Ahmad Narang, of the Royal Malay Regiment.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Raja Permaisuri Agong the V.I.P guests, high Government officials, the massed crowed of onlookers and those on parade - all stood in homage, the national anthem surging to its climax as Capt. Tengku Ahmad Narang slowly hoisted the flag aloft.
The thanksgiving prayer followed, and then Malaysia Day solemnity gave way to Malaysia Day fun with the symbolic release of 101 pigeons. The first bird was freed by the Federation’s child heroine of 1962, 13-year-old Rosnah binte Akasah.
The crowd burst into delighted applause as attendants opened the long covered cage and the liberated birds whirled uncertainly into the air.
Confused by their surroundings, some returned to earth to be chased by children who swarmed gleefully into the arena when the inaugural ceremony ended a few minutes later.
An hour previously the 760 men, women and children taking part had marched into the stadium, led by the Royal Malaysia Police band, and formed a giant living "M".
They came from the Royal Malay Regiment Federation Artillery, Royal Malayan Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police, Territorial Army, R.M.N. Volunteer Reserve, R.M.A.F. Volunteer Reserve , Senoi Praak, Ex-services Association, Civil Defence Organisation, School Cadet Corps, Boy Scouts’ Association, Girls Guides Association, St’ John Ambulance Association, Red Cross Association, Boys Brigade and Girls Life Brigade.
They were followed by the 100 - men Federation Reconnaissance Corps guard of honour, played in by the Royal Malay Regt. Band and the corps of drums of the 6th Bn.R.M.R.
Outside, the long stream of cars bringing the heads of diplomatic missions, Cabinet Ministers, representatives’ from the Malayan States, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah and distinguished overseas guests had begun to arrive.
They drove to the stadium through decorated streets filling with Malaysians hastening to witness the inaugural ceremony.
The world’s press swung their cameras to follow the Royal progress set to the lilting background band music of the Malay tunes "Mas Merah" and "Hamidah".
Then came the Tunku’s speech and the raising of the Malaysian flag.
The Mufti of the Negeri Sembilan. Haji Ahmad bin Haji Mohammed Said, read thanksgiving prayer and the pigeons were released.
The brief half-hour ceremony came to an end as the guard of honour saluted the King with three shouts of "Daulat Tuanku"
At 12.45p.m the King and the Tunku joined "more than 500 Muslims in prayer at the Kampong Bahru mosque. Malay Cabinet Ministers, Muslims among the diplomatic corps and Muslim guests invited for the celebrations were among those present.
Extract from The Straits Times, Sept 16, 1963
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