Malaysia’s rich music culture part 6: The origin of Negaraku

Music as identity

Malaysian national anthem Negaraku has a very interesting history.

The Malaysian national anthem is truly a majestic one, inspiring when you hear it from a full orchestra. Its long been associated with the national flag, as the two are inseparable.

This history of Malaysia’s national anthem is also very symbolic of the nation and how Malaysia came to be. An ambiguous tune, adapted, and adapted again, part of a state, before it was adopted by the new federation of Malaya in 1957. The origin of the national anthem also symbolises the influence of Royalty on Malayan society, and is a reflection upon the amount of travel and exposure the established class had of the rest of the world.

Negaraku is all this rolled up into one song.

At the time of federation back in 1957 there was no national anthem. A committee was formed to select a national anthem, from submissions made by composers of international fame. These included Benjamin Britten, Sir William Walton, Gian Menotti, and Zubir Said.

The commission then looked at the Perak State Anthem, Allah Lanjutkan Usia Sultan. This was selected and new lyrics written to suit its use as the national anthem.

Many believe that the former Sultan of Perak in the Seychelles, living in exile heard the melody Mahe Rumour has it that back in 1888, the then Sultan of Perak, Sultan Idris when at the coronation of King Edward VIII, representing the Malay States, was asked what his state anthem was. Realizing Perak didn’t have one, he hummed the tune of the Seychelles melody.

La Rosalie, composed by the French composer and lyricist Pierre-Jean de Beranger seems to have been inspired by Mahe.

The tune is also apparent in the 1920s song Terang Bulan, recorded by Krontjong Orchest Eurasia back in 1928. An English version Mamula Moon was recorded by Danny Vaughn with a Hawaiian flavour was recorded during the 1930s.

There was a Cantonese version out of Hong Kong recorded in 1928.

The melody was again used during the 1940s by Anna Shelton, as I Shall Return.

Malaya’s first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman played a prominent role in selecting the song and writing the lyrics for Negaraku.

Negaraku is an important part of Malaysia’s history and efforts to modify the melody and even rename the National Anthem to Malaysiaku, have met with disquiet.

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