PUTRAJAYA: Creating an arch depicting the timeline of Malaysia’s journey to independence using waste materials is an innovative approach to boosting patriotism as well as learning the history of the nation.
To this end, the legal division of the Local Government Development Ministry carried out an initiative in conjunction with the Public Sector Conducive Ecosystem Merdeka decoration competition as part of its efforts to liven up National Day.
Seven arches were created to reflect different eras of Malaysia’s history, ranging from the Melaka Malay Sultanate between 1400 and 1511; the colonisation by the Portuguese (1511-1641), Dutch (1641-1824) and British (1824-1957); Bukit Kepong incident in Muar, Johor (Feb 23, 1950); Japanese Occupation (December 1941); post-Merdeka (Aug 31, 1957-1967); National Day celebration on Aug 31, 1957; and the country’s milestones after achieving independence, which include construction of the Parliament building.
The division’s assistant senior legal officer Zazarina Dzukifli said waste material formed more than 60% of the medium used to construct the arches that depict the Melaka Malay Sultanate, a warship, Bukit Kepong police station, old model television, Petronas Twin Towers and Tugu Negara.
“We used recycled waste materials such as cardboard boxes, paper, rope, plastic spoons, polystyrene containers and straws. The arches are now on display at Level 10 of the ministry’s building,” she told Bernama.
Zazarina said prior to starting the project, the 30 staffers from the division had to bone up on their Malaysian history.
“We created the arches with sorrow and pride in our hearts while recalling the patriotic spirit of bygone generations and appreciating how lucky we are to be born after Malaysia’s independence,” she added.
The ministry’s assistant legal officer Mohd Hanif Najdi Mohd Saufi said the process of making the arches had produced wonderful memories of spending time with colleagues and trying to interpret each other’s creativity.
“Only when there is a contest like this, do we realise the importance of teamwork and also discover our co-workers’ hidden talents. This kind of activity also helps to reduce stress,” he said.
He added that the arches were built in line with the third core value under Malaysia Madani, which was introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Jan 19.
The third core value is Innovation, and the rest are Sustainability, Prosperity, Respect, Trust, and Compassion.
