President Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent his sincere congratulations and best wishes to the Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim, the 16th Supreme Head of Malaysia Al-Sultan Abdullah Riyaatuddin Al-Mustafa Billa Shah ibn Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Mustaine Billa and all the people of the country on the occasion of the National Day of Malaysia celebrated today.

“We highly appreciate the friendly relations between our countries,” the head of Turkmenistan emphasized, expressing firm confidence that these relations would continue to develop in the interests of the peoples of the two states.

Taking this pleasant opportunity, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov addressed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and XVI Supreme Head Al-Sultan Abdullah Riyaatuddin Al-Mustafa Bill Shah ibn Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Mustaine Bill with sincere wishes of good health, happiness and prosperity, and to all the people of Malaysia - peace, further progress and prosperity, the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper reports today.

On August 31, Malaysians celebrate one of the most important national holidays - Independence Day (Hari Merdeka). It was erected to commemorate the independence of the Federation of Malaya from Britain in 1957.

The Federation of Malaya, formed in 1948, was under the protectorate of Great Britain. On August 31, 1957, its independence was proclaimed. The Federation became a member of the UN and became part of the Commonwealth of Nations. The anniversary of this event is celebrated in Malaysia as Independence Day.

Malaysian Independence Day should not be confused with Malaysian Day (Hari Malaysia), which is celebrated on September 16, the anniversary of the unification of the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and North Borneo into the State of Malaysia in 1963.