KUALA LUMPUR: As Malaysians closely watched the clock ticking down to midnight to celebrate Merdeka, Awang Hanif Awang Ali, then soon to be a father, anxiously waited outside the labour room of Tunku Azizah Hospital (HTA), awaiting good news from the doctor.
His wife, Noor Ermafiza Mohd Rusli, could not believe it when they were told they could become parents to a Merdeka baby.
As the due date drew nearer, both were hoping it could turn out to be true.
The 33-year-old husband said his wife was already in labor pain before the 12am mark, but they mutually agreed to have their baby on Merdeka day.
Exactly at 12.06am, their baby boy, weighing 3.3kg, was finally born through normal delivery.
Although the 30-year-old mother looked visibly tired, she was happy to be by her son's side after hours in the labour room.
"We were in tears of joy, pride, and so many unexplainable emotions," said the father.
They were among the five parents who welcomed their newborns on Merdeka eve between 12am and 1am.
Another set of parents were Noorazian Mohamad Adnan and Mohamad Amirul Ashraf Zainey Sham, who welcomed their second child at 12.07am, weighing 2.9 kg through normal delivery.
The 27-year-old mother said the original due date was Sept 17 and had no idea her baby girl would be born on the National Day.
She shared that she was at work when suddenly she felt a lack of movement from her baby, prompting her 30-year-old husband to rush her to the hospital.
The doctor checked and confirmed that it was time.
"My husband said, why not try for a Merdeka baby, if it is meant to be?
"Approaching midnight, the pain got worse and alhamdulillah, minutes later, I gave birth to my baby girl," she said, adding that they will name her Adriana.
Also present during the final countdown were Kuala Lumpur Hospital director Datin Dr Rohana Johan and HTA director Dr Shamsul Anuar Kamarudin.
Speaking to the media, Dr Shamsul Anuar said the average birth rate at HTA is between 35 and 50 babies.
"We have 16 nurses, a specialist, and three medical officers and housemen on standby to serve the patients.
"Maybe by midnight, we could have up to 50 Merdeka babies," he said.