HE was the one who lowered the Union Jack at the Merdeka Square, in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, in the wee hours of the morning on Aug 31, 1957.
The surrounding was dark and quiet as most people had gathered at the Selangor Club (now known as the Royal Selangor Club).
“I lowered the Union Jack, symbolising the end of the British rule in Malaya, and handed over the flag to a British military officer.
“We exchanged salute before leaving the square. There was no ceremony held at the square that morning (after midnight),” navy veteran Oliver Cuthbert Samuel said.
He said he was also tasked to hoist the flag of the Federation of Malaya at the Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur some eight hours later.
“The stadium was so packed! I guessed more than 40,000 people thronged the stadium that day.
“Some even climbed trees to witness the historical event,” former Chief Petty Officer Samuel revealed the contrasting ambience on Aug 31, 1957.
Samuel, 84, said Malaya’s first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman read the Proclamation of Independence before chanting ‘Merdeka’ seven times with the crowd joining in.
The Ipoh-born officer Samuel together with two others, Lt Kom Mohd Sharif Kalam and the late Chief Petty Officer Seaman Awang Mohd Salleh, were tasked to raise the flag.
“I remembered the crowd was cheering as the flag went up. Deep down, I felt extremely happy and excited that our nation had finally gained her independence.
“However, I had to compose myself and not to be overwhelmed by emotions. I calmly and proudly raised the flag of the Federation of Malaya,” he said.
When asked why he was selected to hoist the flag during the declaration of the nation’s independence, Samuel said he was trained on the proper procedures and had learnt the international codes and protocols for raising flags.
“I also have a good memory and I was tall. Hence, I was asked to raise the flag while the other two officers ensured that the flag did not touch the ground,” he told Buletin Mutiara at his home in Chai Leng Park, Prai.
Samuel said the preparation for the Independence Day started about a month before Aug 31, 1957.
“Everyone was in a festive mood. Some were crying while some were laughing.
“I was preparing myself for the big event. Besides training how to raise the flag, I also took part in the military tattoo and the hockey competition which were held in-conjunction with the Independence Day celebration. It was a busy month of training,” he added.
Samuel recalled the reason why he decided to join the Malayan Naval Force in 1952, when he was 18.
“I was studying at a Government English school in Tapah a year before I joined the Malayan Naval Force.
“My friends and I heard about an ambush which took place in Tanjung Malim. Several security personnel and civilians were killed in the ambush by the communists that day.
“Their bodies were placed in front of the hospital and it was a very painful sight.
“After witnessing that sorrowful tragedy, I decided to serve my country by joining the navy,” he said.
Samuel met his wife Tan Gim Choo in 1959 and they got married a year later.
Tan followed her husband to Singapore until Samuel retired from the Royal Malaysian Navy in 1974.
Samuel then worked as an administrative officer, assistant manager and a manager in three different security firms; before retiring at the age of 63 in 1997.
Blessed with three sons and five grandchildren, Samuel said it is important for Malaysians to cherish the peace and unity in Malaysia.
“Join the navy and protect our borders. Defend the sovereignty of this country,” he urged young Malaysians.
Story by Christopher Tan
Photos by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Chan Kok Kuan
