Why are Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day celebrated separately?

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Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day are Celebrated Separately Due to the Historical Circumstances of Malaysia's Formation

Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day are observed as distinct national holidays because Malaysia was officially formed on September 16, 1963, following a delay from the originally intended date of August 31, 1957. While the Federation of Malaya achieved independence on August 31, 1957, the proclamation of Malaysia, encompassing Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, and Sabah, occurred on September 16, 1963. This later date was necessitated by objections and a subsequent United Nations study.
The Formation of Malaysia Was Delayed Beyond Malaya's Independence Day

The initial plan was for the formation of Malaysia to coincide with Malaya's Independence Day on August 31. However, this date could not be met due to a formal objection lodged by Indonesia with the United Nations. This objection prompted the UN to conduct a study to ascertain the sentiments of the people in Borneo regarding the proposed unification.
A United Nations Study Led to the September 16 Date

The United Nations study, which aimed to gather opinions on the formation of Malaysia, concluded on September 14, 1963. The findings of this study indicated positive responses towards the unification of the territories. Following the completion of this study and its favourable results, the merging of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, and Sabah to officially form Malaysia took place on September 16, 1963.
Malaysia Day Was Officially Recognized as a Public Holiday in 2010

Despite its historical significance as the date of Malaysia's formation, Malaysia Day was not consistently observed as a public holiday for many years. It was only in 2010 that the Malaysian government officially declared September 16th as a public holiday. This recognition acknowledges the distinct historical milestone of the nation's broader formation, separate from the independence of the Federation of Malaya.

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Why are Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day celebrated separately?

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