Month-long festivities kick off

PUTRAJAYA: The National Day celebration will be back with its traditional fanfare and thrills after a two-year absence.

It will be held at Dataran Merdeka on Aug 31.

A slew of activities was held to kick off the month-long celebration yesterday, which saw Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob taking part in a 2.7km walk here.

The walk took the Prime Minister, several Cabinet members, and scores of people from Dataran Putra to the Palace of Justice with several pit stops showcasing performances by various groups, including the Orang Asli community and students.

The federal administrative capital was the host for the celebration in 2018 and 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

It was given a miss in 2020 at the height of the pandemic.

Last year, a low-key National Day celebration was held at Dataran Pahlawan here.

United we stand: Ismail Sabri launching the National Day and Fly the Jalur Gemilang celebrations, while (below) Bah Bola Suku Semai perform Gema OrangAsal during the launch in Putrajaya. – FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

So, this year’s event will be the first time since 2018 that the celebration returns to Dataran Merdeka.

Ismail Sabri said embracing the spirit of the “Malaysian Family” would ensure that the country and the people could weather any storm and challenge that come along.

He added that the National Day celebration was being held in remembrance of the struggle for independence.

“We may be independent now but there are challenges that can threaten the harmonious relationship that we have been enjoying all this while,” he said.

He said the fight against the pandemic, which saw the people coming together and doing their part to break the chain of infection, was proof of a united Malaysia.

“By embracing the Malaysian Family concept, particularly by staying together and being united, the lives of the people will thrive during this (period of) global economic uncertainty,” he said when launching the National Day month celebrations yesterday.

Also present were Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, Multimedia and Communications Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, Armed Forces Chief Jen Tan Sri Affendi Buang and Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani.

Calling on Malaysians to have a strong bond, Ismail Sabri said, “If sticks are tied together, it will be hard to break. That is how strong we are if we are united.”

He said the National Day celebration would serve as an opportune time for people to express their love for the country.

“I hope to see everyone fly the Jalur Gemilang at homes, shops and offices,” he added.

Another way of showing one’s love for the country is to practise good values, by working together and practising tolerance, he said.

As for the Malaysia Day celebration on Sept 16, Melaka will host the event that carries the theme “Keluarga Malaysia Teguh Bersama”.