Special performances to kickstart Malaysia Day celebrations in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: A special performance to ignite the spirit of patriotism will be among the main highlights on the Sept 16 Malaysia Day celebrations in Sabah.

Themed "Keluarga Malaysia Teguh Bersama (Malaysian Family Strong Together)", this performance will be showcased by the Sabah Cultural Board at the state level celebration at Padang Merdeka here, 8.30pm onwards on Friday (Sept 16).

Besides that, there will be speeches from dignitaries and organising chairman of this celebration, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.

The event will start with the arrival of guests at 7pm, including the Sabah Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his wife Toh Puan Norlidah R.M Jasni, followed by speeches from Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, among other invited guests.

Later, the four gold medalists in the World Pencak Silat Championship and the Sabahan who won the World Muaythai Youth Championship will be receiving their special certificates of appreciation from the state government.

Convoy members of the "Kembara Merdeka Keluarga Malaysia 2022" that has been going on throughout the month of independence will hand over the Jalur Gemilang to Juhar to mark the end of the convoy at the event as well.

The state’s Department of Islamic Religious Affairs will also be holding tahlil recitations and prayers, as well as special sermons for Friday prayers in all mosques in the state.

Last weekend, Bung said that this year’s theme emphasises efforts to foster unity, patriotism and highlight the value of integrity and self-identity among Malaysians.

He also urged the people to come and make the state-level Hari Malaysia Day celebration merrier and more meaningful.

A series of related programmes and activities had been going on the past month to instill patriotism among the people.

These include the ‘Identiti Etnik Sabah Keluarga Merdeka’ seminar, E-Culture Gaming TikTok Hari Malaysia Challenge, Info-On-Wheels program and exhibitions on independence.