Page 27 - Malaysia 2016
P. 27
2016 27
The national anthem, “Negaraku” was heard for the first time after the stroke of
midnight on 31 August 1957, at the Selangor Club field. That historical evening
witnessed the Union Jack was lowered and replaced with the flag of the Malay
Peninsula, accompanied by the national anthem, “Negaraku”. Starting from this
moment, the song “Negaraku” continued to be the national anthem.
NATIONAL FLOWER
At the end of 1958, the Ministry of Agriculture had submitted seven types
of flowers to be selected as the national flower. The flowers were bunga
raya, bunga kenanga, bunga melur, bunga cempaka, bunga teratai,
bunga mawar and bunga tanjung. To choose the type of flower which
may be selected as the national flower; a study was carried out by
the Department of Information to get the reaction of the public. This
research was conducted by mobile units from the Department across
the urban and rural areas in Peninsular Malaysia. The study found that
residents of the East Coast had chosen roses (bunga mawar) while the
West Coast residents had chosen jasmine (bunga melur). However, in
the end, the Government decided to choose hibiscus (bunga raya)
based on the flower which was already well-known across the country,
the colours and interesting shapes, a name that was similar across the
country, readily available nationwide, and most importantly, would not
become the national flower of any other country in the world at that
time. Based on these criteria, on 28 July 1960, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra
Al-Haj declared hibiscus (bunga raya) as the national flower. Today,
the selection of the hibiscus as the national flower seems so accurate
because there are five petals on it which represent a breakdown of the
five aspects of the National Principles of the Rukun Negara, and as a
symbol of unity.
The national anthem, “Negaraku” was heard for the first time after the stroke of
midnight on 31 August 1957, at the Selangor Club field. That historical evening
witnessed the Union Jack was lowered and replaced with the flag of the Malay
Peninsula, accompanied by the national anthem, “Negaraku”. Starting from this
moment, the song “Negaraku” continued to be the national anthem.
NATIONAL FLOWER
At the end of 1958, the Ministry of Agriculture had submitted seven types
of flowers to be selected as the national flower. The flowers were bunga
raya, bunga kenanga, bunga melur, bunga cempaka, bunga teratai,
bunga mawar and bunga tanjung. To choose the type of flower which
may be selected as the national flower; a study was carried out by
the Department of Information to get the reaction of the public. This
research was conducted by mobile units from the Department across
the urban and rural areas in Peninsular Malaysia. The study found that
residents of the East Coast had chosen roses (bunga mawar) while the
West Coast residents had chosen jasmine (bunga melur). However, in
the end, the Government decided to choose hibiscus (bunga raya)
based on the flower which was already well-known across the country,
the colours and interesting shapes, a name that was similar across the
country, readily available nationwide, and most importantly, would not
become the national flower of any other country in the world at that
time. Based on these criteria, on 28 July 1960, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra
Al-Haj declared hibiscus (bunga raya) as the national flower. Today,
the selection of the hibiscus as the national flower seems so accurate
because there are five petals on it which represent a breakdown of the
five aspects of the National Principles of the Rukun Negara, and as a
symbol of unity.
