31 August 1957, 57 years ago

In January 1956, Tunku  Abdul Rahman led a mission to London to negotiate for Malayan independence, in the end securing self-government for Malaya and the promise of independence by August 1957.  Tunku Abdul Rahman became independent Malaya’s first Prime Minister (a post he would retain when the Federation of Malaysia, which consolidated the countries of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak under one umbrella, was formed in 1963). At midnight on August 30, he stood at the flagpole in Merdeka Square, in Kuala Lumpur, when the Union Jack was lowered for the last time and the new Federation of Malaya flag was raised.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Malaysia's first Prime Minister, the Father of Independence.