 The proclamation acknowledges the establishment of an independent and democratic Federation of Malaya, which came into effect on the termination of the British protectorate over nine Malay states and the end of British colonial rule in two Straits Settlements, Malacca and Penang.The document of the declaration was signed by Tunku Abdul Rahman, who was appointed as the nation's first Prime Minister.The event is celebrated annually in Malaysia with national day "Hari Merdeka".