Page 34 - Malayan Story
P. 34
MALAYAN STORY
By the time Merdeka (Independence) actually came on 31 August 1957, it was a day of rejoicing
and celebration. Those of us who lived in Kuala Lumpur were warned by many that there would be
street riots and it would be very dangerous for any of us to venture on to the streets at all. But there
was nothing like that. People of all races, ourselves included, mixed freely and there was a sense of
celebration and excitement as the British flag was lowered and the Malayan one raised. There
seemed to be a genuine feeling of sadness that Sir Gerald and Lady Templar were leaving, and a
deep sense of gratitude for what he had done to bring the Emergency to an end.
With that, the people of Malaya looked forward with anticipation to their future as a free nation
with the power to work out their own destiny.
Return to Table of Contents
34
By the time Merdeka (Independence) actually came on 31 August 1957, it was a day of rejoicing
and celebration. Those of us who lived in Kuala Lumpur were warned by many that there would be
street riots and it would be very dangerous for any of us to venture on to the streets at all. But there
was nothing like that. People of all races, ourselves included, mixed freely and there was a sense of
celebration and excitement as the British flag was lowered and the Malayan one raised. There
seemed to be a genuine feeling of sadness that Sir Gerald and Lady Templar were leaving, and a
deep sense of gratitude for what he had done to bring the Emergency to an end.
With that, the people of Malaya looked forward with anticipation to their future as a free nation
with the power to work out their own destiny.
Return to Table of Contents
34
