Malaysians celebrate Malaysia Day or Hari Malaysia today. On this day in 1963, the formation of Malaysia which consisted of the Federation of Malaya, Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore was formally promulgated.

Malaysian flag...Jalur Gemilang (Malay for "Stripes of Glory")

47 years after its formation, Malaysia is officially celebrating its creation for the first time by declaring the day a public holiday. What took the government so long to recognise the country’s very formation? It was on October 19, 2009 that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak officially declared that September 16 would be a public holiday commencing from 2010.

Malaysia Day would be celebrated with events that would foster closer unity, understanding between the different races and community success and achievement through sports, social culture and arts, to spur the 1Malaysia spirit.

This is the real “birthday” of Malaysia, but  it has been a long time coming.

To all my fellow Malaysians, Happy Malaysia Day!

Malaysia, truly Asia. This little phrase is Tourism Malaysia’s slogan. Over the past many years, we have all been bombarded with this slogan from Tourism Malaysia’s billboard, radio and TV ad to the point that some people are finding it annoying. And in the past two years or so, we have been bombarded by the 1Malaysia campaign. Malaysians are a funny lot. I propose another slogan for Malaysia. 1FunnyMalaysia, truly Lat Lah!

1Funny Malaysia

Malaysia's most popular cartoon character Lat

See how funny Malaysians can be!

Malaysian Starbucks

Who in the right mind would want to press the durians?

A Malaysian balancing act

A giant Malaysian bumblebee

The Malaysian government's drive to encourage reading is so successful that Malaysian dogs also know how to read!

Malaysian higher education?

The advantage of being a male in Malaysia!

Malaysian shopper

Another Malaysian shopper

Shopping Malaysian style

A rich Malaysian telling the whole world about his wealth

A no-signboard coffeeshop in Malaysia

A stool for males

Malaysian helmet

Two Wong Fei Hong visit Malaysia

Malaysia, truly Lat!

15Malaysia is a project of 15 short films directed by 15 Malaysian directors and is a collaboration between the 15 film directors and WiMAX telecommunication company Packet One Networks Sdn Bhd. The mastermind behind 15Malaysia is singer/songwriter/actor Pete Teo.

Malaysian singer/songwriter/actor Pete Teo

The 15 films feature an interesting cast of actors, musicians, local celebrities and POLITICIANS. The politicians featured in some of the films are Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Parti Keadilan Rakyat information chief Tian Chua, UMNO Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Dewan Negara Senator Datuk Zaid Ibrahim. The films deal with social-political issues ranging from race relations, bribery, corruption, Islamic Banking, party hopping, Mat Rempit, halal cooking, the state of Malaysian football, social apathy, freedom of expression and paedophilia.

The 15 films and their release dates:

(01) Potong Saga by Ho Yuhang (released on August 17 2009)

Potong Saga by Ho Yuhang (starring Namewee)

(02) Chocolate by the late Yasmin Ahmad (released on August 19 2009)

Chocolate directed by the late Yasmin Ahmad

(03) The Tree by Amir Muhammad (released on August 21 2009)

The Tree by Amir Muhammad (starring PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat)

(04) House by Linus Chung (released on August 24 2009)

House directed by Linus Chung

(05) Halal by Liew Seng Tat (scheduled for release on August 26 2009)

Halal by Liew Seng Tat

(06) The Son by Desmong Ng ( scheduled for release on August 28 2009)

The Son by Desmond Ng

(07) Lumpur by Kamal Sabran (scheduled for release on August 31 2009)

Lumpur by Kamal Sabran

(08) One Future by Tan Chiu Mui (scheduled for release on September 2 2009)

One Future by Tan Chui Mui

(09) Slovak Sling by Woo Ming Jin (scheduled for release on September 4 2009)

Slovak Sling by Woo Ming Jin

(10) Gerhana by James Lee  (scheduled for release on September 7 2009)

Gerhana by James Lee

(11) Meter by Benji & Bahir (scheduled forv release on September 9 2009)

Meter by Benji & Bahir (starring UMNO Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin)

(12) Duit Kecil by Johan Johan (Scheduled for release on September 11 2009)

Duit Kecil by Johan John

(13) Healthy Paranoia by Khairil Bahar (scheduled for release on September 14 2009)

Healthy Paranoia by Khairil Bahar (starring Malaysian Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai

(14) Lollipop by Nam Ron (scheduled for release om September 15 2009)

Lollipop by Nam Ron

(15) Rojak! by Suleiman Brothers (scheduled for release on September 16 2009)

Rojak! by Suleiman Brothers

Ho Yuhang’s Potong Saga is the first film to be released and has proven to be a big hit. It features Wee Meng Chee or better known as Namewee who gained enormous publicity and notoriety for his infamous Negarakuku song in 2007. This film offers a comical exaggeration of the Chinese community’s misguided assumptions about Islamic Banking. Do watch it and have a hearty laugh!

The final film “Rojak!” by the Suleiman Brothers is aptly scheduled to be released on September 16, the anniversary of the formation of Malaysia. To catch all the 15 films, take note of the release dates and watch them either on YouTube or the 15Malaysia website:

http://15Malaysia.com/films/