::: 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.

::: 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 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, as Malaysia Day.

::: Two years later Singapore left the federation and became an independent republic on August 9, 1965. Sources: Wikipedia [link]

::: Idea for the Malaysian flag [Jalur Gemilang] collage above came from the cover page of AstroGuide magazine on August 2007. All the pictures made for the flag collage was previewed in my fotopages website: [link]
~ ReActivate