The Malayan Life of Ferdach O'Haney

Englishman Lees' most memorable moment in Malaya, where he worked for many years, was his rousing call of 'Merdeka!' at the conclusion of Malaysia's Declaration of Independence ceremony on 31 August 1957 after Syed Jaafar Albar-who had been asked by Tunku Abdul Rahman to lead the crowd in cheers of 'Merdeka' as the dignitaries left the stage-lost his voice after the first two proclamations. Lees, who was sitting with Syed Jaafar in the control box of the newly erected Stadium Merdeka, stepped up to the microphone to save the day.