In conjunction with this year’s 50th Malaysia Day, celebration National Geographic Channel (Astro Ch 533) will air a brand new documentary titled Malaysia: Through The Decades that reflects 50 years of Malaysia’s developments and achievements since 1963 on 16 September 2013 at 9.00pm.
Datuk Siti Nurhaliza
With Malaysia having undergone massive transformation from a postcard image of coconut palms to the world’s tallest buildings, from a time when most families only had a bicycle to owning one, if not two, three or four cars, the documentary showcases Malaysia the way it really is – dynamic, lively and multi-layered. It takes us through the struggles that were faced to the highs that were achieved.
Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar
Malaysia: Through The Decades will showcase personalities popular among the mass public including famed songstress Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and Malaysia’s very first astronaut, Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor. It will also feature other famous names in Malaysia such as the esteemed Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s longest serving prime minister and Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid (Lat), renowned cartoonist. Their interviews offer a fresh insight into the future of the nation and its people.
Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammed
Each decade featured portrays significant events that have shaped the country. With Malaysia in the 60s, Malaya was renamed Malaysia when Sarawak, North Borneo and Singapore joined the federation in 1963.
Yuna
Malaysia in the 70s, the Rukunegara was announced to promote unity among a just society. It was also a time when Malaysia’s foreignpolicy was advanced, with greater ties with ASEAN and foreign dignitaries visiting the nation, including Queen Elizabeth II.
The decade that followed saw Tun Dr. Mahathir vying to create a more independent and self-reliant Malaysia with the “Look East” policy which was aimed at emulating the Japanese. It was also the decade of heavy industrialization that also saw the birth of our national car, Proton.
Malaysia in the 90s saw the country registering growth in double digits. The nation also attained world class standards in civil engineering with the emergence of the North-South expressway and the state of the art Kuala Lumpur International Airport to the Petronas Twin Towers. It also saw Malaysia hang steady during the most severe financial crisis on record in Asia.
Malaysia’s journey to a developed country status moved further in the new millennium with more that 60 percent of its population living in urban areas. Sports was another area that Malaysia excelled with Datuk Lee Chong Wei and Datuk Nicol David both reaching the top rank in their respective sports.
Malaysia: Through The Decades is aimed at educating and inspiring Malaysians to further bring the country towards the future, to stand on par with countries that are already considered developed and to be recognized for all its feats.
Mark your calendars as Malaysia: Through the Decades premieres on 16 September 2013 at 9.00pm exclusively on National Geographic Channel (Astro Ch 553) with an encore at 11.00pm.