Tengku Ab Aziz (centre) presenting souvenirs to Chai (right) and Chong during the group’s visit to Merdeka 118.
FEDERAL Territories Honorary People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) Club marked Malaysia’s independence with a symbolic visit to Stadium Merdeka and Merdeka 118, linking Malaysia’s historic independence to its modern achievements.
Club chairman Datuk Seri KK Chai said Malaysia’s progress over the past 68 years was built not only on leadership but also on the perseverance and unity of its people.
He stressed that while national leadership played a vital role in guiding development, it was the collective spirit of unity among Malaysians that sustained progress.
“A nation can only continue to thrive if its people stand united,” he said.
Chai also repeated the words attributed to Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, known as “Bapa Malaysia”.
“We are all Malaysians. This is the bond that unites us. Unity is our fundamental strength as a people and as a nation.”
He added that the message was still relevant today as Malaysia’s diversity of races, religions and cultures continued to serve as a bridge towards a stronger and more harmonious nation.
The delegation, which included club advisor Datuk Seri Michael Chong and about 30 committee members, first stopped at Stadium Merdeka, the iconic site where Tunku proclaimed Malaysia’s independence in 1957.
The visit continued to Merdeka 118 where PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Ab Aziz Tengku Mahmud shared stories about the tower’s construction and the vision that shaped it.
Participants described the experience as both inspiring and meaningful, serving as a reminder of the values of independence, harmony and peace.
