Commemorative Postage Stamp 3rd SEAP Games

3rd SEAP GAMES

At the beginning of 1958 an idea was mooted in many quarters to organize games similar to the Asian and Olympic Games in South East Asia because there was affinity in many aspects such as the way of life and physical make-up of people as well as the climate.

The general consensus was that these games, if held at the right time, would be a good exercise for the athletes taking part in the two older games. They would also help to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation among the countries.

The Olympic Committee of Thailand was largely instrumental in translating the proposal into action. Following a series of deliberations the Committee chose the name of "South East Asia Peninsular Games" and decided at the same time that the participating countries would include Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Malaya, Thailand and Vietnam, since these countries lay in the Peninsula proper.

The proposal was submitted to and approved by the Government of Thailand. It was subsequently discussed at an informal meeting of representatives of Burma, Laos, Malaya and Thailand, who had assembled in Tokyo for the third Asian Games. Cambodia and Vietnam joined in the discussion later. As the Games would be international in character, the proposal was submitted to the various Olympic Committees for ratification.

The inaugural Games were held at Bangkok in 1959. Burma, Laos, Malaya, Singapore and Vietnam took part, in addition to Thailand.

A SEAP Games Federation was formed to control the Games which it was decided to hold every two years, in between the Asian and Olympic Games. It was also decided that each country would have the honour of holding the Games in rotation in alphabetical order.

The second SEAP Games were staged in Rangoon in 1961. Competing with the host country were Cambodia, Laos, Malaya, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Cambodia was unable to celebrate the third SEAP Games. Laos, next in line, indicated her inability to accept responsibility and Malaya has therefore taken over these Games which will be held in Kuala Lumpur from the 14th to 21st December, 1963.

Fourteen Games are included in the programme, and all member countries have indicated their intention of taking part. The public can look forward to a festival of sports. 

Technical Details

Special postage stamps of the 25 cents, 30 cents and 50 cents denominations will be issued on the 14th December, 1965 to commemorate the 3rd South East Asia Peninsular Games to be held in Kuala Lumpur.

Size: Rectangular with the following dimension perforation to perforation in sheets of 100 :

Horizontal - 25 mm

Vertical - 35 mm

Printing Process: Offset Process

Design: The 25 cents denomination depicts sepak raga and soccer.

The 30 cents denomination depicts athletics.

The 50 cents denomination depicts swimming.

Each denomination also bears the S.E.A.P. Games emblem of six rings.

Colours: 25 cents - green background with drawing of human figure in black.

30 cents - violet background with drawing of human figures in black.

50 cents - blue background with drawing of human figure in black.

Paper: Unwatermarked paper

Printed by: The Government Printing Bureau of Japan

Designer: Enche. A. F. Anthony

The stamps will be placed on sale in all the territories of Malaya for a period of three months from the date of issue or until stocks are exhausted whichever is earlier. 

 First Day Cover

Kuala Lumpur 98-XVI Commonwealth Games

Technical Details
Date of issue: 1994-10-29
Denomination: RM1 x 2 (gutter pair)
Stamp Size: 28 mm x 38 mm
Perforation: 13
Paper: SPM watermarked, phosphor coated
Printing Process: Lithography
Printer: Security Printers (M) Sdn. Bhd., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Sheet Content: 10 pairs (20 stamps)
Stamp Designer: Limkokwing Integrated Sdn. Bhd.
Blank First Day Cover: 20c
Presentation Pack: RM2.50

Stamps in the Series


First Day Cover


Commonwealth Games - from promoting good sportsmanship and cross-cultural understanding to meeting aspirations of Vision 2020

The Commonwealth Games are held by member countries, comprising 60 nations around the world. Since the first Games in 1930 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, the Games have been held every four years except when they were suspended during Wold War II. In 1998, for the first time in the history of the Commonwealth, the Games will be held in an Asian member nation - Malaysia.

21st July 1992 was a day of national pride and world recognition for Malaysia. On this day in Barcelona, Spain, Malaysia won the bid to host the XVI Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.

Our country's impressive track record in successfully organizing world-class sports championships was instrumental in the selection of Kuala Lumpur as the host city.

Entrusted with the mission to organize the Kuala Lumpur 98 Games efficiently in terms of operations and financial viability is Sukom Ninety Eight Berhad. Formed in June 1992, the company derived its name from the combination of two words in Malaysia's official language: Sukan (sports) and Komanwel (Commonwealth) - Sukom.

With the first of four years of preparations already under way, Malaysians in both public and private sectors are working together with Sukom to prove to the world that Malaysia has the ability to stage the best ever Commonwealth Games. This resounding success will mark an important milestone in our country's march towards Vision 2020.

A distinctive logo chosen by the Malaysian public
21st July 1998 marked the first anniversary of the day when Malaysia made history in winning the right to host the XVI Commonwealth Games. On this anniversary date, the refined bid logo together with the best five designs, shortlisted from 41 entries, were presented to the public at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.

Since Kuala Lumpur 98 is an event of great significance to Malaysians throughout the country, the public were invited to choose their favourite logo. The response was overwhelming, with the majority voting for the refined bid logo.

The officially adopted Games logo draws its inspiration from Malaysia's national flower - the hibiscus or bunga raya. Flowers are a universal symbol of welcome, which is in keeping with the spirit of the Friendly Games concept of the Commonwealth Games. The hibiscus is stylized to represent CG and 98.

The rich burst of Malaysia's national colours - red, yellow, and blue - is a striking modern portrait of a confident, young, vibrant nation. The six pollen depict the six regions over which the Commonwealth extends.

This is the fist time in the history of the Commonwealth Games logos that the colour yellow is incorporated besides the traditional colours red, white and blue of the British flag - the Union Jack.

A friendly mascot to welcome visitors to Kuala Lumpur 98
The official mascot for Kuala Lumpur 98 - XVI Commonwealth Games, Wira the Orang Utan, was unveiled to the public by our Prime Mnister Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad at Merdeka Square on 12th April 1994.

The orang utan was chosen as the Games' mascot because of its special significance to Malaysia - the host country. It is the only large and intelligent primate with a Malay name that is recognized worldwide. Literally translated, orang utan means 'Man of the Forest'.

Wira, our official mascot, is characterized by the friendly and lovable nature of the orang utan. Wira is a symbol of the warmth and friendliness of Malaysians.