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Merdeka Day 2013
31 Aug 2013 — Hari Merdeka (Independence Day) is a national day of Malaysia commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule in 1957, celebrated on August 31 each year. This should not be confused with Hari Malaysia (Malaysia Day) when Malaysia was formed on 16 September 1963 together by Federation of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore. The 56th Merdeka Day celebration at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, on Saturday, involved the participation of 16,375 people from 15 contingents and five decorative floats.
Malaysian students perform during the National Day celebrations at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. Malaysia marks its 56th National Day to commemorate the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British rule in 1957. The Malaysian Insider/Afif Abd Halim.
Malaysia's military and police personnel march in a parade during the National Day celebrations at Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. Malaysia marks its 56th National Day to commemorate the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British rule in 1957. The Malaysian Insider/Afif Abd Halim.
Fireworks explode over the sky of Malaysia's administrative capital Putrajaya after the countdown to the National Day, marking the 56th anniversary of the country's independence. The Malaysian Insider/Nazir Sufari
Yang Di Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Sultan Abdul Halim inspects the Guard of Honor during the National Day celebrations at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. Malaysia marks its 56th National Day to commemorate the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British rule in 1957. The Malaysian Insider/Afif Abd Halim.
A man walks past students waving national flags during National Day celebrations at the Independence Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013.Malaysia marks its 56th National Day to commemorate the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British rule in 1957. The Malaysian Insider/Najjua Zulkefli
Malaysian students perform during the National Day celebrations at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. Malaysia marks its 56th National Day to commemorate the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British rule in 1957. The Malaysian Insider/Afif Abd Halim.
Malaysia's military personnel march during the National Day celebrations at Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. Malaysia marks its 56th National Day to commemorate the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British rule in 1957. The Malaysian Insider/Afif Abd Halim.
A Malaysia's military personnel marches past during National Day celebrations at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. The Malaysian Insider/Najjua Zulkefli
Members of the crowd are reflected in a sousaphone as Malaysia's military band plays national song during National Day celebrations at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. The Malaysian Insider/Najjua Zulkefli
Malaysian students perform during the National Day celebrations at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. Malaysia marks its 56th National Day to commemorate the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British rule in 1957. The Malaysian Insider/Afif Abd Halim.
Guard of Honor member scratching his head during the National Day celebrations at Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. Malaysia marks its 56th National Day to commemorate the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British rule in 1957. The Malaysian Insider/Afif Abd Halim.
Malaysia's air force personnel march in a parade during the National Day celebrations at Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. Malaysia marks its 56th National Day to commemorate the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British rule in 1957. The Malaysian Insider/Afif Abd Halim.
Malaysia's policemen march in a parade during National Day celebrations at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. The Malaysian Insider/Najjua Zulkefli
Malaysia's Air Force jets fighter, Sukhoi fly past Malaysian flag during the National Day celebrations at Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. Malaysia marks its 56th National Day to commemorate the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British rule in 1957. The Malaysian Insider/Afif Abd Halim.
Participants wear Malaysia's traditional costumes as they march in a parade during National Day celebrations at the Independence Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. The Malaysian Insider/Najjua Zulkefli
The Penang second bridge is lighted up with fireworks after the countdown to the National Day, marking the 56th anniversary of the country's independence day. The Malaysian Insider/Hasnoor Hussain
Malaysia's military personnel prepares a national flag during National Day celebrations at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. The Malaysian Insider/Najjua Zulkefli
Malaysia's military personnel stand guard during National Day celebrations at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. The Malaysian Insider/Najjua Zulkefli
Participants wave national flags during National Day celebrations at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. The Malaysian Insider/Najjua Zulkefli
A Malaysian military armoured personnel carrier are displayed during the National Day celebrations at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. Malaysia marks its 56th National Day to commemorate the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British rule in 1957. The Malaysian Insider/Afif Abd Halim.
Malaysia's mounted policemen take part in a parade during National Day celebrations at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. The Malaysian Insider/Najjua Zulkefli
Boys wear full dress of Malaysian commando VAT69 during the National Day celebrations at Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. Malaysia marks its 56th National Day to commemorate the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British rule in 1957. The Malaysian Insider/Afif Abd Halim
Malaysia's women military personnel march past during National Day celebrations at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. The Malaysian Insider/Najjua Zulkefli
Malaysia's policemen march in a parade during National Day celebrations at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. The Malaysian Insider/Najjua Zulkefli
Malaysian students wave the national flags while performing during the National Day celebrations at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. Malaysia marks its 56th National Day to commemorate the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British rule in 1957. The Malaysian Insider/Afif Abd Halim.
Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak (2nd L) holds a banner as his wife Rosmah Mansor (L) waves a national flag during National Day celebrations at the Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur on August 31, 2013. The Malaysian Insider/Najjua Zulkefli
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