53th MERDEKA The free intermingling of Malays, Chinese and Indians working together in harmony was the main reason Malaya achieved independence in 1957 without shedding a drop of blood.

“The greatest source of our pride has been the manner in which it has been achieved. It has been won by the spontaneous support of all communities in this country – Malays, Chinese, Indians and others who regard Malaya as their home,” said the nation’s founder and first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Tunku made this remark six months before Independence Day...