Independence Day, or Hari Merdeka, is a national holiday in Malaysia, observed on August 31 each year. The holiday commemorates the Malayan Declaration of Independence on August 31, 1957, which ended over 100 years of control from the British Empire. The British became formally involved in Malay politics in 1771, but Japan ruled Malaya and Singapore during World War II.
Malaya was placed under British Military Administration after Japan's surrender at the end of the Second World War, but the administration was loose then.
From 1946 to 1948, the eleven states formed the Malayan Union, which the Federation of Malaya replaced due to opposition from Malay nationalists. The Federation achieved independence on August 31, 1957.
The following is the list of Independence Day in Malaysia from 2022 to 2026.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| Independence Day | Aug 31, 2022 | Wednesday |
| Independence Day | Aug 31, 2023 | Thursday |
| Independence Day | Aug 31, 2024 | Saturday |
| Independence Day | Aug 31, 2025 | Sunday |
| Independence Day | Aug 31, 2026 | Monday |
Please check more public holidays in Malaysia: