Merdeka Day Celebration
Standing on a podium at Stadium Merdeka, and watched over by thousands of spectators, with his fist in the air Tunku Abdul Rahman proclaimed “Merdeka!” seven times while the crowd echoed his shouts with roars of cheers. This was the 31st August 1957, the day when Malaysia received its independence from British colonial rule.
It was a proud moment and a glorious day for all Malaysians, and this year, on the eve of Independence Day, the Student Council at TCSH decided to commemorate that historic day with their very own Merdeka Day Celebration.
Held at the ground floor of the campus, flocks of students and staff, many of them dressed in traditional costumes, gathered outside the Alpha Theatre way before the event was to begin at 11am. The atmosphere was packed and noisy, and everyone was clearly excited about the events that were to come. While everyone was waiting for the show to start, mini Jalur Gemilangs were distributed to the crowd, and because of the large crowd there weren’t enough to go around.
Starting off the celebration was an opening speech by our Principal Mr. Anandakumaresh, who stressed upon all students the importance and significance of Merdeka to Malaysian society today, and seeing what a chattering mood the students were in at that time, reminded everyone also of the importance of respect and tolerance towards each other, regardless if we are in college or in the outside world. Then, Mr. Ananda opened the ceremony with the cutting of the rope that unraveled a banner that bore the words “Independence 53” decorated with colourful handprints around it.
The celebration proceeded with a brilliant Merdeka-themed video presentation courtesy of PS5 and LAN lecturer Mr. William. This was followed by a couple of performances by HS2, HS4 and HS5, who started off with a Malaysian rendition of Rihanna’s “Umbrella” with the lyrics changed to suit the occasion, and they also gave the audience a humorous Merdeka rendition of the Pokémon opening theme song. Their performances certainly got the crowd going, and some even sang along with the tune as if they knew all the lyrics by heart.
With so many people dressed up in their national costumes, the celebration certainly couldn’t proceed without having a best dressed award ceremony to put the spotlight on those who came to college wearing their baju melayu, sari or cheongsam. Prizes were given to the best-dressed Malay, Chinese and Indian female and male costumes, for both students and staff alike.
Next in line was a wonderful beat-box version of the song “Where is the Love”, which received huge cheers and wows from the audience, followed by a speech on Merdeka and its meaning by a representative of the Student Council. Then, a dozen TCSH students staged a mini sketch which portrayed our journey to independence and the sketch ended with seven shouts of “Merdeka!” by the lead actor, which was reminiscent to how the Tunku did it back in 1957. Shortly after, there was another video presentation, this time a “Unity Song” music video by BS2.
Now what is a National Day celebration without singing the national anthem? The Student Council didn’t forget that, and as the celebration was approaching noon, everyone stood at attention as an old version of the Negaraku was played while the Jalur Gemilang was hoisted up into the air on a suspended rope, a scene that for some may seem very much like morning assemblies back in the old school days. The melodies of Negaraku certainly must have boosted the patriotism of those present, for some Koreans were even singing the Negaraku out loud alongside their Malaysian counterparts as well!
Finally, to wrap up the event, students from the IB classes performed several traditional dances, including a Malay dance, a traditional fan-flapping kung fu-fighting Chinese dance with a modern twist, and last but not least an Indian dance. At around 12.30 pm, the event came to an end.
While this year’s state-level Merdeka Day celebrations were to be held all over the nation the following day, we at TCSH can be proud to say that we organized our very own, and what a tremendous success it was. Happy Merdeka 2010!
BY ADRIAN FOONG
Merdeka!
It was a proud moment and a glorious day for all Malaysians, and this year, on the eve of Independence Day, the Student Council at TCSH decided to commemorate that historic day with their very own Merdeka Day Celebration.
Held at the ground floor of the campus, flocks of students and staff, many of them dressed in traditional costumes, gathered outside the Alpha Theatre way before the event was to begin at 11am. The atmosphere was packed and noisy, and everyone was clearly excited about the events that were to come. While everyone was waiting for the show to start, mini Jalur Gemilangs were distributed to the crowd, and because of the large crowd there weren’t enough to go around.
Starting off the celebration was an opening speech by our Principal Mr. Anandakumaresh, who stressed upon all students the importance and significance of Merdeka to Malaysian society today, and seeing what a chattering mood the students were in at that time, reminded everyone also of the importance of respect and tolerance towards each other, regardless if we are in college or in the outside world. Then, Mr. Ananda opened the ceremony with the cutting of the rope that unraveled a banner that bore the words “Independence 53” decorated with colourful handprints around it.
The celebration proceeded with a brilliant Merdeka-themed video presentation courtesy of PS5 and LAN lecturer Mr. William. This was followed by a couple of performances by HS2, HS4 and HS5, who started off with a Malaysian rendition of Rihanna’s “Umbrella” with the lyrics changed to suit the occasion, and they also gave the audience a humorous Merdeka rendition of the Pokémon opening theme song. Their performances certainly got the crowd going, and some even sang along with the tune as if they knew all the lyrics by heart.
With so many people dressed up in their national costumes, the celebration certainly couldn’t proceed without having a best dressed award ceremony to put the spotlight on those who came to college wearing their baju melayu, sari or cheongsam. Prizes were given to the best-dressed Malay, Chinese and Indian female and male costumes, for both students and staff alike.
Next in line was a wonderful beat-box version of the song “Where is the Love”, which received huge cheers and wows from the audience, followed by a speech on Merdeka and its meaning by a representative of the Student Council. Then, a dozen TCSH students staged a mini sketch which portrayed our journey to independence and the sketch ended with seven shouts of “Merdeka!” by the lead actor, which was reminiscent to how the Tunku did it back in 1957. Shortly after, there was another video presentation, this time a “Unity Song” music video by BS2.
Now what is a National Day celebration without singing the national anthem? The Student Council didn’t forget that, and as the celebration was approaching noon, everyone stood at attention as an old version of the Negaraku was played while the Jalur Gemilang was hoisted up into the air on a suspended rope, a scene that for some may seem very much like morning assemblies back in the old school days. The melodies of Negaraku certainly must have boosted the patriotism of those present, for some Koreans were even singing the Negaraku out loud alongside their Malaysian counterparts as well!
Finally, to wrap up the event, students from the IB classes performed several traditional dances, including a Malay dance, a traditional fan-flapping kung fu-fighting Chinese dance with a modern twist, and last but not least an Indian dance. At around 12.30 pm, the event came to an end.
While this year’s state-level Merdeka Day celebrations were to be held all over the nation the following day, we at TCSH can be proud to say that we organized our very own, and what a tremendous success it was. Happy Merdeka 2010!
BY ADRIAN FOONG
