MALAYSIANS should continue to put the country first despite their differences and the challenges facing the nation, said Damansara MP Gobind Singh Deo.
“At the end of the day, all of us are proud to be Malaysian and we need to work to ensure that we make things better,” he said.
Gobind, who is also Digital Minister, was speaking at a joint National Day and Malaysia Day celebration in SS20, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, which brought three community groups together for the first time.
Petaling Jaya City Council Zone 9 councillor Carrie Ee, who organised the event, said it was her first programme since she was sworn in as councillor on July 14.
“We hold various community events such as Deepavali and Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, but National Day and Malaysia Day have a special meaning.
“I intentionally chose this occasion so that we can bring all races together,” she said.
The programme involved members of SS20’s Central and North Residents Associations and its Rukun Tetangga committee.
Ee said community programmes were particularly important in urban areas, where residents could live near one another without becoming acquainted.
“Community programmes bring people out so they can meet and talk to one another.
“Especially in urban living, people usually do not know their neighbours, so this allows everyone to gather and enjoy something together,” she said.
The celebration featured line dancing, patriotic songs, Malaysia-themed quizzes, lucky draws with prizes totalling over RM80,000, a photo booth and refreshments.
Local police and Fire and Rescue Department personnel were also invited to the event, which saw about 200 residents from the SS20 community attending.
“Nation-building starts with communities. We want to set a good example at the community level before talking about the state and nation,” added Ee.
During the celebration, a resident approached Gobind with a copy of the Federal Constitution that he had signed.
“She showed me a copy of the Constitution that I signed in 2018 and reminding me of our meeting.
“She then asked me to date it again today,” he said.
Gobind said the encounter was a reminder of Malaysia’s development and the contributions made by earlier generations.
“What is important is for us to understand this journey and how far we have come as a nation,” he said.
Gobind also urged young Malaysians to understand the challenges faced in developing the country and to recognise its diversity as a strength.
“They need to understand the journey and how we got here, and they need to make sure that they are able to strengthen this and take the country forward,” he said.
Selangor public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin, was also present at the event in her capacity as Bandar Utama assemblyman.
She said SS20 was where she began gaining experience in public service as a Petaling Jaya city councillor.
