| Year | Theme |
|---|---|
| 1970 | Muhibah dan Perpaduan (Love and Unity) |
| 1971 | Masyarakat Progresif (Progressive Society) |
| 1972 | Masyarakat Adil (Fair Society) |
| 1973 | Masyarakat Berkebudayaan Malaysia (A Society with Malaysian Culture) |
| 1974 | Sains dan Teknologi Alat Perpaduan (Science and Technology as Tools of Unity) |
| 1975 | Masyarakat Berdikari (A Self-Reliant Society) |
| 1976 | Ketahanan Rakyat (Strength of the People) |
| 1977 | Bersatu Maju (United and Progressive) |
| 1978 | Kebudayaan Sendi Perpaduan (Culture is the Core of Unity) |
| 1979 | Bersatu Berdisplin (United and Disciplined) |
| 1980 | Berdisplin Berbakti (Discipline and Service) |
| 1981 | Berdisplin Berharmoni (Discipline and Harmony) |
| 1982 | Berdisplin Giat Maju (Discipline Creates Progress) |
| 1983 | Bersama Ke Arah Kemajuan (Together Towards Success) |
| 1984 | Amanah Asas Kejayaan (Honesty Brings Success) |
| 1985 | Nasionalisme Teras Perpaduan (Nationalism is the Core of Unity) |
| 1986 | Bangsa Tegas Negara Teguh (Steadfast Society, Strong Country) |
| 1987 | Setia Bersatu Berusaha Maju (Loyally United and Progressively Working) |
| 1988 | Bersatu (Unity) |
| 1989 | Bersatu (Unity) |
| 1990 | Berjaya (Success) |
| 1991 | Wawasan 2020 (Vision 2020) |
| 1992 | Wawasan Asas Kemajuan (Vision is the Basis of Progress) |
| 1993 | Bersatu Menuju Wawasan (Together Towards Vision) |
| 1994 | Nilai Murni Jayakan Wawasan (Good Values Makes the Vision a Success) |
| 1995 | Jatidiri Pengerak Wawasan (Steadfastness Moves the Vision Forward) |
| 1996 | Budaya Penentu Kecapaian (Culture Determines Achievements ) |
| 1997 | Akhlak Mulia Masyarakat Jaya (Good Values Make a Successful Society) |
| 1998 | Negara Kita, Tanggungjawab Kita (Our Country, Our Responsibility) |
| 1999 | Bersatu Ke Alaf Baru (Together Towards the New Millennium) |
| 2000–2006 | Keranamu Malaysia (Because of you, Malaysia) |
| 2007 | Malaysiaku Gemilang (My Glorious Malaysia) |
| 2008 | Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan (Unity Is The Core of Success) |
| 2009 | 1 Malaysia: Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan (1 Malaysia: People First, Performance Now) |
| 2010 | 1 Malaysia: Menjana Transformasi (1 Malaysia Transforming the Nation) |
| 2011 | 1 Malaysia: Transformasi Berjaya, Rakyat Sejahtera (1 Malaysia: Transformation Success, People Peace) |
| 2012 | 55 Tahun Merdeka: Janji Ditepati (55 Years of Independence: Promises Fulfilled) |
The 2012 theme has proven to be controversial, as it is seen by many Malaysians to be a political slogan rather than a patriotic one. The official "logo" was also ridiculed for its unconventional design. A video of the theme song uploaded on YouTube (with lyrics penned by Rais Yatim) has garnered an overwhelming number of "dislikes" because of its overtly political content, which had nothing to do with the spirit of independence.
Read more about this topic: Hari Merdeka
Famous quotes containing the word theme:
“This is certainly not the place for a discourse about what festivals are for. Discussions on this theme were plentiful during that phase of preparation and on the whole were fruitless. My experience is that discussion is fruitless. What sets forth and demonstrates is the sight of events in action, is living through these events and understanding them.”
—Doris Lessing (b. 1919)