On Merdeka night, Malaysians proudly witnessed our mixed doubles pair crowned champions at the BWF World Championships.
Sports have always brought people together, and the sight of fans cheering side by side at mamak stalls is always a moving experience in Malaysia.
Standing tall for Negaraku
The match itself was thrilling, but the most touching moment came later during the award ceremony.
As the Jalur Gemilang was raised and Negaraku began to play, crowds at many mamak stalls were seen standing up to show respect.
For a country already celebrating its independence, the sight of Malaysians united under the Jalur Gemilang while Negaraku played was nothing short of historic, a Merdeka gift that will be remembered for years to come.
Even staff stopped working
Speaking to WeirdKaya, she recalled how the emotional moment unfolded at a mamak restaurant in Kajang.
“We actually just wanted to watch the match there, but at first, there were only three families present for the mixed doubles players. It wasn’t until Pearly and Tinaah were about to play that the crowd started coming in,” she said.
What truly moved her, however, was what happened when the national anthem, Negaraku, started playing.
“Suddenly, everyone stood up — even the staff at the mamak stopped what they were doing to pay respect. It was my first time experiencing this, and I felt so touched and proud. After singing Negaraku, the whole restaurant clapped and cheered. It was a beautiful moment,” she added.
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