Federal Territory Day
Next: February 1, 2027
Happy birthday, KL.
The story
Where it comes from
Hari Wilayah Persekutuan marks 1 February 1974, when Kuala Lumpur was declared Malaysia's first Federal Territory under the Kuala Lumpur Agreement of 1974. From that day the capital was no longer run by the state of Selangor but by the federal government, with Kuala Lumpur City Hall as its local authority. Labuan became the second Federal Territory on 16 April 1984, and Putrajaya, the federal administrative centre, became the third on 1 February 2001. All three now share the day.
How it's celebrated
It is a public holiday in Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, so schools and most businesses close. The official celebration, held most years at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur and some years in Putrajaya, brings together parades, cultural performances, concerts and community programmes. For many residents it is simply a welcome day off to enjoy the city with family.
Did you know
- The Federal Territory flag has yellow, blue and red stripes, and its three stars stand for Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.
- Labuan's name is said to come from the Malay word labuhan, a harbour or anchorage.
- Putrajaya was named in honour of Malaysia's first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
Coming up next
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- World Wetlands Day · February 2, 2027
- Setsubun · February 3, 2027
- World Read Aloud Day · February 3, 2027
- Felix Mendelssohn's Birthday · February 3, 2027
- World Cancer Day · February 4, 2027