Malaysia Day And National Day Must Be Celebrated On Same Scale - JAPEN

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- The spirit of togetherness in conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebration needs to continue to be manifested to ensure that the appreciation of Malaysia's formation is not solely focused on the National Day celebration.

Malaysian Department of Information (JAPEN) Cyber Media Division Assistant Director Yokananthini Murugeesan said August 31 commemorates the independence of Malaya while September 16 commemorates the formation of Malaysia in 1963, hence both dates hold different historical meanings.

"So that matter is very important, and if we talk about togetherness, we don't only want to see August 31 celebrated with great festivity but September 16 celebrated on the same scale, not less, and ensure very lively activities all the way leading up to September 16," she said when appearing as a guest on Malaysia Petang Ini programme produced by Bernama TV today.

She said the Malaysia Day celebration is also held in other states and is not solely concentrated in Sabah and Sarawak.

"We do not only focus on Sabah or Sarawak, but everywhere. Last year it was in Penang, this year in Sarawak. Next year it might be in another state," she said.

Ahead of the peak celebration on 16 September, various cultural contents have been prepared including pocket shows from Sept 14 to 16, featuring cultural performances and ethnic dances of Sarawakian tribes three times a day at Plaza Merdeka.

Yokananthini said small-scale pop-ups are also being held across 10 divisions in Sarawak, alongside silat performances, hadra groups, gendang pampat, and lion dances as symbolic representations of the harmony and unity among Malaysia's multi-racial society.

She also called on Malaysians to play their roles as ambassadors of unity by flying the Jalur Gemilang through the "One House, One Jalur Gemilang" initiative, as well as by producing positive, inspiring, and patriotic content on digital platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

The celebration will also be broadcast live via RTM TV1, RTM Klik, and official digital platforms including the Facebook pages of the Malaysian Department of Information and Merdeka 360.

The peak celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on September 16 will feature a lineup of artists including Faizal Tahir and Stacy alongside about 50 other artists, in addition to a symbolic book-signing event regarding the formation of Malaysia to be kept at the National Archives of Malaysia, Sarawak Branch.

-- BERNAMA