On September 16, 1963, Malaysia was formally established, bringing together the Federation of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore. The formation followed the Malaysia Agreement signed in July, while the planned August 31 date was postponed as the United Nations completed a report on the views of people in North Borneo and Sarawak.
The proclamation was read by Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman at Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur before a crowd reported by Malaysia’s National Archives at about 30,000 people. Brunei did not join the new federation, while Singapore remained part of Malaysia until separating and becoming independent in 1965.
