Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Selamat Hari Merdeka; Anniversary of independence coin


I want to wish Selamat Hari Merdeka for all my Malaysian blog reader. We will be celebrating 52 years of independence anniversary on 31st August 2009. This year celebration will be held at Dataran Parlimen due to the ramadhan month and Influenza A (H1N1) that has been spread across this country. I try to find 2009 Merdeka 52 years logo but I cannot found the real logo in almost every government website that suppose to put that logo.


Last time, there are coin released by Bank Negara Malaysia that commemorate Malaysia anniversary of independence for every 5 year sequence. Its start in 1977 and ended in 1997 with only 3 coin minted. In 2007, Bank negara launch 50 years of independence coin. I wish bank negara will start to produce merdeka coin for every 5 years with this coin. This coin will be a good collection for all Malaysia coin collector. Here are the old merdeka coin and some information about them.

20th Anniversary of Independence 1 ringgit coin
Copper-Nickel, Diameter: 33.4 mm. Weight: 16.80g
Obv: Malaysia 1st Yang Dipertuan Agong; Tuanku Abdul Rahman Head
Rev: Malaysia Coat of Arms/Jata Negara
Minted by: Franklin Mint


25th Anniversary of Independence 1 ringgit coin
Copper-Nickel, Diameter: 33.4 mm. Weight: 16.80g
Obv: Malaysia 1st Prime minister; Tunku Abdul Rahman left arm raised
Rev: Malaysia Coat of Arms/Jata Negara
Minted by: Royal Mint, UK

30th Anniversary of Independence 1 ringgit coin
Copper-Zinc Diameter: 24.5 mm. Weight: 9.00g
Obv: Malaysia Coat of Arms/Jata Negara
Rev: Numeral 30 divides dates below with flying doves and sun above
Minted by: Singapore mint
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The effort for independence was spearheaded by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, who led a delegation of ministers and political leaders of Malaya in negotiations with the British in London for Merdeka, or independence along with the first president of the Malayan Chinese Association (MCA) Tun Dato Sir Tan Cheng Lock and fifth President of Malaysian Indian Congress Tun V.T. Sambanthan.

Once it became increasingly clear that the Communist threat posed during the Malayan Emergency was petering out, agreement was reached on February 8, 1956, for Malaya to gain independence from the British Empire. However, for a number of logistical and administrative reasons, it was decided that the official proclamation of independence would only be made the next year, on August 31, 1957, at Stadium Merdeka (Independence Stadium), in Kuala Lumpur.


The Federation of Malaysia, comprising the States of Malaya, North Borneo (later renamed Sabah), Sarawak and Singapore was to be officially declared on the date August 31, 1963, on the 6th anniversary of Malayan independence. However, it was postponed to September 16, 1963, mainly due to Indonesian and the Philippines' opposition to the formation of Malaysia. Nevertheless, North Borneo and Singapore declared sovereignty on August 31, 1963. The formation of the Federation of Malaysia was then announced on September 16, 1963 as Malaysia Day. The Independence Day celebration is still held on August 31, the original independence date of Malaya.

Source: Wikipedia
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An early Selamat Hari Merdeka to all my Malaysian reader. I wish our economy and political situation will be better after this. I also wish that Bank Negara Malaysia will not stop producing anniversary of independence coin. Where will you be in this Merdeka day? Do any of you joining the parade?