Malaysia didn't become independent at Stadium Merdeka

We’ve heard Negaraku thousands of times. But just 26 days before Merdeka, the tune that would become our national anthem still hadn’t been chosen.

There had been a competition. Hundreds of entries came in. None made the cut.

Then the committee turned to a melody Malaysians already knew: the Perak state anthem.

On 31 August 1957, it became part of a new country’s identity.

69 years later, we still stand when we hear it.

Selamat Hari Merdeka, Malaysia.