National Day: Let's be driven to progress by our forefathers' struggle, says Johor MB

ISKANDAR PUTERI: The efforts of our forefathers to gain independence should be motivating factors in transforming the country into a developed nation, says Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.

He said that the nation's independence was won with blood, sweat, and tears and added that Malaysians as a whole should look to the future and play their part in making the country a better place.

“The fight for independence was not easy and our forefathers left us with the will to continue their fight by making our beloved state and country a better place for our future generations,” he said at the state-level National Day celebration at Dataran Iskandar Puteri here on Wednesday (Aug 31).

Onn Hafiz added that the celebration was also attended by the frontliners who played an important role in protecting the people during the past two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This is the first time that we are celebrating this occasion after the pandemic, and I am thankful that we are joined by our frontliners.

“We have lost many of our loved ones but at the same time, I am thankful for our frontliners who have been tasked with the huge responsibility of taking care of our people,” he said.

The celebration saw the participation of 131 contingents including those from government agencies, enforcement bodies, secondary and primary schools and NGOs, and was attended by about 6,000 people.

There was also a self-defence demonstration by the Malaysian Armed Forces and police.