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01 September 2012| last updated at 01:23AM

Malaysians tweeted 3.6 million Merdeka messages

By Azura Abas, Eunice Au, Punitha Kumar and Nuradilla Noorazam

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KUALA LUMPUR: In one hour, Malaysians nationwide have set a new world record when 3.611 million tweets have been sent out under the hashtag #Merdeka55.

When the clock struck 8.15pm last night, at least 10,000 people with very busy fingers furiously tweeting their Merdeka messages at the Bukit Jalil Stadium.

   The giant electronic screens in the stadium occasionally showed a live update on the number of tweets recorded as the clock ticked away.   

   Malaysians set such an astonishing record by sending over the three million tweets concerning their views on independence via Twitter.

   The tweets were sent out by fellow netizens who shared their feelings of patriotism and aspirations between 8.15pm and 9.15pm, via #Merdeka55.

   Among those who participated were Kolej Komuniti Segamat 2 students Muhamad Aidi Nezri Shaharuddin,20, Mohd Hafiz Tugiman, 23, and Mohamad Ridhwan Talib,18. who were all proud to be part of the 'Twitter team' in conveying their celebratory messages through the popular social networking site last night.

Mohd Hafiz said although the internet connectivity was slow, he had managed to send out 120 tweets.

   " I sent out as many tweets as I could expressing my happiness that the country has sailed through 55 years despite many obstacles and challenges,"he said.

   On the other hand, Muhamad Aidi managed to send out 35 tweets and was still sending out as many as he could.

   "There are about 18 students from my college and we hope to contribute as much as we can in achieving the one million target."

    Universiti Putra Malaysia students Ling Tian Wang, 21, and Tam Kheng Hung, 22, said they started tweeting the moment it was announced to do so in the stadium.

    " We tweeted under @Awang0123 and @tamguitar03 to add on to the growing number of tweets filled with patriotism,"they said.

   Apart from tweeting patriotic messages, Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) college student Rashvin Rao Shankar Rao said he also tweeted about the multiracial crowd who all came together to celebrate their country's independence.

   "Sending my tweets using  @rashvinrao, I conveyed my feelings for the nation and hoped the country would move forward into becoming a progressive nation,"said the pre-university studies student.

    Another fellow TAR college student who was also part of the 'Twitter team' was Chua Boon Hao who tweeted 'Happy National Day, Malaysia!'.

   "I am proud to be a Malaysian and hope the country would continue to prosper," the 19-year-old who tweeted under @Boonhao Chua said.

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