• Get Started

MALAYSIA DAY

When is Malaysia Day in 2024?

Malaysia Day in 2024 is on the Monday, 16th of Sep (9/16/2024).

Malaysia Day is on the 260th day of 2024. There are 106 days left in the year.

Malaysia Day Facts

  • Date: Sep 16, 2024
  • National
  • Also Called: Hari Malaysia
  • Celebrations: Celebrations; parades, speeches, political addresses, military demonstrations, cooking, adventures, cultural performances
Malaysia Day iImage Credit: PixaBay.com

Also known as Hari Malaysia, the holiday is celebrated on 16th September to commemorate the founding of Malaysian Federation.

History of Malaysia Day

The history of Malaysia Day can be traced to the 16th September 1963. On that day, four territories came together to form Malaysia. These were Malayan Federation, North Borneo (now Sabah), Sarawak and Singapore. Two years later, Singapore left the federation.

Before the Malaysian Federation, Sarawak gained self-government status from the British in July 1963. North Borneo was granted the same on 31st August 1963 while Singapore received it back in 1959.

In 1962, the Cobbold Commission was established to determine whether its people would support the four nations under a new constitution. When everything was eventually agreed, the commission pushed the merger of the four countries forward.

Initially, the merger was set for 1st June 1963, but it was postponed to 31st August 1963 to coincide with the date Malayan Federation gained independence. As fate would have it, objections from the neighboring nations, Indonesia and the Philippines, delayed the formation of the Malaysian Federation. Following these postponements, the official declaration was made on 16th September that year.

The action was made official through the signing of the international treaty of the Malaysian Agreement by the United Kingdom, the Federation of Malaya and Singapore.

Today, the Malaysian people celebrate Malaysia Day on 16th December as the date their country was formed. The day was however declared a public holiday in 2010 to remind the Malaysian people of the struggles the forefathers faced in achieving the independence they enjoy today.

Malaysian Day vs. Merdeka Day

Malaysia Day celebrates the day the country Malaysia was formed after the merger between Malayan Federation, North Borneo (now Sabah), Sarawak and Singapore. This day is observed on 16th September every year.

Merdeka Day, on the other hand, is also known as Independence Day, Hari Merdeka or Hari Kebangsaan. The holiday celebrates the day in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained its independence from the British colony. Merdeka Day is celebrated on 31st August every year.

How to Celebrate Malaysia Day

Malaysia Day is marked by parades, military demonstrations, sporting events, and cultural performances. Politicians also deliver speeches aimed at nation development and honoring the veterans that formed Malaysia as a country. It is a good thing to attend these events. They are not only fun, but they also give you a chance to demonstrate your patriotism.

This is a time to eat an authentic Malaysian dish. You can start the day by eating nasi lemak, which consists of rice steamed with coconut milk and pandan leaves. Other varieties of Malaysian food you can try out include peanuts, seafood, hard boiled eggs, beef curry, and chicken served with sambal (chili-based sauce). Remember that it is a tradition for Malaysians to eat rice dishes using their fingers or chopsticks. Don’t worry if things get messy, Malaysians are kind-hearted people, and they will definitely help you out.

Another great way to mark this day is by wearing a traditional cultural costume. Malaysia is a multicultural nation and therefore has several traditional costumes. These include the baju kurungu for female, baju Melayu for male, the cheongsam, Punjab suit among others you can choose from. Be sure to pair it with comfortable shoes and then hit the streets.

Whether you are a foreigner or a Malaysian citizen, take this day as an opportunity to tour the country. You can have a picnic with your friends at the numerous parks countrywide, enjoy an evening beach stroll or discover some of the hidden alleys in most towns.

If you are a foreigner, it is a good gesture to learn one of the local languages. Malaysia has many cultures and language groups. Taking time to learn a few of common phrases in some of the languages can definitely make your stay in Malaysia more enjoyable.

Remember to share your Malaysia Day celebrations with family and friends on social media using the hashtag #MalaysiaDay.

Why Celebrate Malaysia Day

In observing Malaysia Day, we celebrate the struggles and success stories during the past decades. We also appreciate the historical milestones such as the Cobbold Commission and Malaysia Agreement which made the formation of Malaysia possible.

Malaysia Day also celebrates the colorful cultures that infuse to the Malaysian multicultural societies. Cultures like the Dayaks, Muruts, Ibans and the Kadazans.

Malaysia Day Observances

DAY
DATE
HOLIDAY NAME
  • Mon
  • Sep 16, 2013
  • Tue
  • Sep 16, 2014
  • Wed
  • Sep 16, 2015
  • Fri
  • Sep 16, 2016
  • Sat
  • Sep 16, 2017

List of National and Regional Public Holidays of Malaysia in 2023

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
SundaySunJan 01, 2023Jan 01New Year's Day
MondayMonJan 02, 2023Jan 02New Year Holiday
SundaySunJan 22, 2023Jan 22Chinese New Year
MondayMonJan 23, 2023Jan 232nd day of Chinese New Year
SaturdaySatFeb 04, 2023Feb 04Thaipusam (Many Regions)
FridayFriApr 07, 2023Apr 07Good Friday
SaturdaySatApr 08, 2023Apr 08Nuzul Al-Quran (Many Regions)
SundaySunApr 09, 2023Apr 09Nuzul Al-Quran Holiday (Many Regions)
SaturdaySatApr 22, 2023Apr 22Hari Raya Puasa (Day 1)
SundaySunApr 23, 2023Apr 23Hari Raya Puasa (Day 2)
MondayMonMay 01, 2023May 01Labour day
TuesdayTueMay 16, 2023May 16Waisak Day
MondayMonJun 05, 2023Jun 05Agong's Birthday
WednesdayWedJun 28, 2023Jun 28Hari Raya Haji
WednesdayWedJul 19, 2023Jul 19Awal Muharram
SaturdaySatSep 16, 2023Sep 16Malaysia Day
WednesdayWedSep 27, 2023Sep 27Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
SundaySunNov 12, 2023Nov 12Deepavali / Diwali
MondayMonDec 25, 2023Dec 25Christmas Day

List of Popular Celebration Days of United States in 2023

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
ThursdayThuJan 12, 2023Jan 12National Pharmacists Day
ThursdayThuJan 19, 2023Jan 19National Popcorn Day
WednesdayWedFeb 01, 2023Feb 01National Signing Day
ThursdayThuFeb 02, 2023Feb 02Groundhog Day
FridayFriFeb 03, 2023Feb 03National Wear Red Day
ThursdayThuFeb 09, 2023Feb 09National Pizza Day
MondayMonFeb 13, 2023Feb 13Galentine's Day
TuesdayTueFeb 14, 2023Feb 14Valentine's Day
WednesdayWedFeb 15, 2023Feb 15National Bagel Day
SaturdaySatFeb 18, 2023Feb 18National Drink Wine Day
TuesdayTueFeb 21, 2023Feb 21National Pancake Day
WednesdayWedFeb 22, 2023Feb 22National Margarita Day
FridayFriMar 03, 2023Mar 03National Employee Appreciation Day
TuesdayTueMar 07, 2023Mar 07National Cereal Day
SundaySunMar 12, 2023Mar 12Daylight savings
MondayMonMar 13, 2023Mar 13National Napping Day
TuesdayTueMar 14, 2023Mar 14National Walkout Day
TuesdayTueMar 14, 2023Mar 14National Pi Day
MondayMonMar 20, 2023Mar 20National Proposal Day
ThursdayThuMar 23, 2023Mar 23National Puppy Day
ThursdayThuMar 30, 2023Mar 30National Doctor Day
WednesdayWedApr 05, 2023Apr 05National Walking Day
ThursdayThuApr 06, 2023Apr 06National Burrito Day
FridayFriApr 07, 2023Apr 07National Beer Day
TuesdayTueApr 11, 2023Apr 11National Pet Day
WednesdayWedApr 12, 2023Apr 12National Grilled Cheese Day
ThursdayThuMay 04, 2023May 04National Day Of Prayer
SundaySunMay 14, 2023May 14Mother's Day
ThursdayThuMay 25, 2023May 25National Towel Day
ThursdayThuMay 25, 2023May 25National Wine Day
FridayFriJun 02, 2023Jun 02National Donut Day
ThursdayThuJun 08, 2023Jun 08National Best Friends Day
SundaySunJun 18, 2023Jun 18Father's Day
WednesdayWedJun 21, 2023Jun 21National Selfie Day
ThursdayThuJun 22, 2023Jun 22National Kissing Day
TuesdayTueJul 11, 2023Jul 11Amazon Prime Day
ThursdayThuJul 13, 2023Jul 13National French Fry Day
FridayFriJul 14, 2023Jul 14National Nude Day
SundaySunJul 16, 2023Jul 16National Ice Cream Day
WednesdayWedJul 19, 2023Jul 19National Hot Dog Day
MondayMonJul 24, 2023Jul 24National Tequila Day
SaturdaySatJul 29, 2023Jul 29National Chicken Wing Day
TuesdayTueAug 01, 2023Aug 01National Girlfriends Day
SundaySunAug 06, 2023Aug 06National Sister Day
MondayMonSep 18, 2023Sep 18National Cheeseburger Day
TuesdayTueOct 03, 2023Oct 03National Boyfriends Day
WednesdayWedOct 04, 2023Oct 04National Vodka Day
WednesdayWedOct 04, 2023Oct 04National Taco Day
MondayMonOct 09, 2023Oct 09Leif Erikson Day
SaturdaySatOct 21, 2023Oct 21Sweetest Day
SundaySunOct 29, 2023Oct 29National Cat Day
TuesdayTueOct 31, 2023Oct 31Halloween
FridayFriNov 03, 2023Nov 03National Sandwich Day
FridayFriNov 24, 2023Nov 24Black Friday
MondayMonNov 27, 2023Nov 27Cyber Monday
SaturdaySatDec 02, 2023Dec 02Candle Day
SaturdaySatDec 09, 2023Dec 09National Pastry Day
FridayFriDec 15, 2023Dec 15National Ugly Sweater day