KUALA LUMPUR: Few people can say the entire country celebrates their birthday, but for these Anak Merdeka and Anak Malaysia born on Aug 31 and Sept 16, the festivities have followed them throughout their lives.
Suriya Nalthambi, who turned 27 on National Day, said the celebration comes with a family tradition – chanting “Merdeka” and singing a patriotic song before cutting his birthday cake.
“My mother would always ask me to stand in front of the cake and chant ‘Merdeka’.
“My family still does it till now,” he said when met at the Sambutan Anak Merdeka Malaysia programme at Tun Hussein Onn Memorial here yesterday.
He was born two or three days later than expected after his mother suddenly experienced labour pains while doing housework on Aug 31.
“Maybe it was fate,” said Suriya, who works at a freight-forwarding firm.
Naila Nafisa Mohd Shahril, 11, entered the world at midnight on Aug 31, with fireworks still echoing near the hospital in Kuantan.
Her mother, Azalina Mohd Anas, 44, said Naila was one of only two babies born at the hospital that day and the only one delivered naturally.
“When she was born, I could still hear the fireworks because the hospital was near the National Day celebrations,” she said.
Naila said she was proud to be an Anak Merdeka because “not everyone gets to experience it”.
She hopes to become a fashion designer and promote Malaysia’s cultural fashion internationally.
For Jayden Koh Tian Le, who turned 13, National Day feels like a nationwide birthday celebration.
“I felt proud and happy when I realised I was born on Aug 31.”
His mother, Jennifer Ang, 42, was admitted to hospital on the eve of National Day after experiencing signs of labour, despite Jayden only being due on Sept 11.
“I celebrated National Day in the hospital,” she said, recalling hearing fireworks while waiting to deliver him shortly after noon.
Brothers Muhammad Na’il and Muhammad Zulfaqar share a similar distinction, although they were born on different national commemorations.
Na’il, 12, was born on Malaysia Day, while Zulfaqar, 10, arrived on National Day.
“I told them they were born on special days for Malaysia,” said their mother Fasha Erma Mohd Khomari.
“At first, they did not understand it, so I explained that everyone celebrates on those dates and told them a little about the country’s history.”
Both brothers hope to become firefighters one day, with Na’il also expressing an interest in rescuing animals.
Optometry student Law Lik Yi, 22, described sharing her birthday with National Day as a rare privilege.
“It is meaningful because not many people have this opportunity.”
She said this year’s celebration was particularly memorable as it was her first time attending an event honouring Anak Merdeka.
“I am very proud and I love Malaysia,” she said.
National Unity Ministry secretary-general Datuk Haslina Abdul Hamid said the annual programme should be continued and strengthened to foster patriotism and national identity.
She said the National Archives of Malaysia’s signature initiative went beyond celebrating those born on National Day and Malaysia Day.
“It also serves as a platform to connect society with the country’s history and identity,” she said in her speech.
