‘It was a beautiful morning’
Man reminisces about Merdeka Day at the Esplanade
GEORGE TOWN: “I can still remember Aug 31, 1957, like it was yesterday,” says Abdul Rashid Abdul Aziz.
It was about 5am when he finished bathing and was ready to celebrate the country’s independence at the Esplanade.
Recalling the historic moment, the 77- year- old Abdul Rashid said that morning was extra beautiful and as dawn broke, he and his friends began walking towards the Esplanade to witness the moment the nation was freed from its colonial masters.
“There was a feeling of pride and anticipation which is difficult to describe, but it is something which I can remember to this day,” he said in an interview at his house in Kampung Pokok Asam in Jelutong recently.
Abdul Rashid, who was just 16 back then, said there was a wonderful and festive parade held on that day.
His friend, Nordin Abdul Rahman, also recollected that the entire village in Jelutong was flood- ed with lights and decorated with the flags of the various states at all corners.
“I was just 12 years old, but I still remember the happiness all over the place, while all houses were decked up like Hari Raya,” he said.
Meanwhile, furniture and antique shopkeeper Syed Muhamad Bukhari Muhamad Nordin (pic), 75, also reminisced about the atmosphere at the Esplanade on Merdeka Day in 1957 but recalled a chance meeting with the nation’s first prime minister. “I vividly recall meeting Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra in person.
“I cannot remember which year but it was after independence. I was at the shop when he walked in to look for a table to place an ice shaving machine ... but at that time, the table he was looking was not available in my shop,” he said.
Syed Muhamad Bukhari said he was thrilled to have met the Father of Independence himself. — Bernama