For Yusoff, noth ng eats the h stor al e ent n

GEORGE TOWN: For septuagenarian Yusoff Azmi Merican (pic) there is no National Day celebration like the one held at Stadium Merdeka on Aug 31, 1957.

He was there and still remembers the fever pitch patriotic emotions and fervour. He loved it.

The 78-year-old was then an 18-year-old Penang Free School student.

“Three of my friends and I took the early morning train on Aug 29 to Kuala Lumpur for the Merdeka celebration.

“The train was packed like a tin of sardines and everyone was heading to KL for the same reason.

“It was a 12-hour journey and we didn’t even have a seat.

“We stood throughout the journey, but it was the most memorable and enjoyable trip. When we reached KL, we headed straight for Stadium Merdeka,” he said.

He recalled obtaining the National Day’s programme booklet that was written in Jawi and titled “Perayaan Kemerdekaan Ibu Kota Persekutuan – Aug 27 hingga Sept 8”.

Yusoff produced the booklet that he has kept till this day, in mint condition.

“It has details and photographs of our first Malaysia Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, the new Cabinet and organising committee’s details.”

Besides the booklet, he also owns a huge collection of newspaper articles on the first National Day celebration, photographs, books, as well as other unique and antique items.

Yusoff recalled that it rained heavily before the National Day celebrations started “but it did not dampen our spirits”.

“We were there at 8am and all of us got drenched but we did not want to miss the historic event.

“About two hours later, the sun came out shining brightly like a blessing and added to the euphoria we were all feeling,” he said.

He remembers the elegant Cadillac cars that brought ambassadors representing Commonwealth countries to the stadium.

“We were so fascinated with the cars that we all ran to have a peek and try to touch them,” he quipped.

It was when Tunku Abdul Rahman appeared in front of the crowd that he remembers best.

“It was a very intense feeling, a feeling of oneness of mind and purpose. It was the feeling of patriotism.”

“I don’t know how best to describe the feeling – energetic, emotional. Being at that event was an invaluable moment. It was awesome.

“Since then, I have attended state-level National Day celebrations every year here, but nothing compares to the one I attended in 1957,” said the retired education officer.

Yusoff said they were also at the Dataran Merdeka on Aug 31 midnight when the Union Jack flag was brought down and the Jalur Gemilang raised.