There is the technical and there is the sentimental. In this article we choose simply to point out some technical facts. However, they may surprise you!!
The wikipedia entry for "Malaysia Day" says:
"Malaysia Day is held on September 16 every year to commemorate the establishment of the Malaysian federation on the same date in 1963. It marked the joining together of Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore to form Malaysia. The formation of the new federation was planned to occur on June 1, 1963, but was later postponed to August 31, 1963, in order to coincide with the sixth Hari Merdeka. Several issues related to the Indonesian and the Filipino objection to the formation of Malaysia delayed the declaration to September 16 of the same year. The postponement was also done to allow the United Nations team time to conduct referendums in North Borneo (now Sabah) and Sarawak regarding the two states participation in a new federation." (read more in wiki)
The Wikipedia entry for Merdeka Day says:
"Hari Merdeka (Independence Day) is a national day of Malaysia commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule, celebrated on August 31. In a wider context, it is to celebrate the formation of Malaysia."
It then goes on to say:
"The formation of the Federation of Malaysia was then announced on September 16, 1963 as Malaysia Day. The nationwide Independence Day celebration is still held on August 31, the original independence date of Malaya, while Malaysia Day is a public holiday only in East Malaysia. However, this has caused some minor discontent among East Malaysians in particular since it has been argued that celebrating the national day on August 31 is too Malaya-centric. It is decided that starting 2010, Malaysia Day will be a nationwide public holiday in addition to Hari Merdeka on August 31." (read more in wiki)
In a nutshell therefore:
The Federation of Malaya was formed on the 31st of August 1957.
The Federation of Malaysia was actually formed on the 16th of September 1963 (despite best efforts to have the formation of Malaysia on the 31st of August and therefore coincide with that of Malaya).
The date of the 31st of August is still important because it is the date when Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak achieved their independence from the British.
Unfortunately, but technically, MALAYSIA was officially born on the 16th of September 1963 and not the 31st of August. Prior to that it was not "Malaysia", it was "Malaya". Politically and geographically they are two different entities.
Even though this is a "technicality", it is also a fact. Therefore the 2007 celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Malaysia's independence is technically wrong. Simple statement of fact. Nothing controversial in technical terms.
To be technically correct the 31st of August should be celebrated as a commemorative day of "Independence from the British", while the 16th of September should be celebrated as the National Day: the formation of Malaysia.
To be correct, 2007 should have been the 50th Anniversary of "Independence" for West Malaysia, and 2013 the 50th Anniversary of "Independence" for East Malaysia.
And 2013 should be the 50th Anniversary of the formation of Malaysia.