PM to revisit Lahad Datu incident, reignite patriotic spirit in Perdana Address

BERNAMA filepic

PUTRAJAYA: Nearly two years into leading the unity government, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to deliver the 2024 National Day Perdana Address on Friday (Aug 30) in conjunction with the 67th National Day celebration.

The event, scheduled to take place at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), aims to bring together 7,350 attendees including civil servants, educators, student representatives, police retirees and members of non-governmental organisations.

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Those unable to attend in person may follow the address through live broadcasts on television and social media.

The hour-long event, organised by the National Unity Ministry, will also feature a "Bicara Eksklusif" segment titled "Kedaulatan Negara Tanggungjawab Bersama – Mengimbau Insiden Lahad Datu" (National Sovereignty is a Shared Responsibility – Revisiting the Lahad Datu Incident) followed by various performances, culminating in the Prime Minister's address.

The Bicara Eksklusif segment will feature several panellists, including former National Security Council director-general Datuk Mohd Rodzi Saad and members and officers of the Royal Malaysia Police involved in the 2013 Lahad Datu incursion by Sulu gunmen.

There will also be a special video screening on independence presented by the National Archives of Malaysia, alongside a cultural performance featuring participants from various ethnic groups playing a range of traditional musical instruments such as the kompang, gendang, tawak and rebana.

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In addition, the Prime Minister will distribute the Jalur Gemilang to students from kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, higher education institutions, and youth groups, marking the opening of the event.

Held a day before the National Day celebration, the Perdana Address serves as a platform to ignite the patriotic spirit and deepen the appreciation of independence among Malaysians, especially the younger generation.

This aligns with the theme of this year’s celebration, Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka.

This year’s National Day celebration will take place at Dataran Putrajaya, a venue that previously hosted the event in 2003, 2005, 2018, 2019 and last year. – Bernama