National Month Celebration: Labuan draws up programmes to boost patriotism

LABUAN, July 28 -- The spirit of patriotism appears to be flying high among Malaysians in Labuan despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In conjunction with the launch of the 2020 National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign, a number of programmes have been lined up to enliven the upcoming Merdeka Day celebration.

The programmes include the hoisting of the Jalur Gemilang; Merdeka@Kayak; Hiking@Merdeka; Merdeka Info on Wheels (IOW); the colouring contest and the patriotic song choir competition.

Labuan Merdeka Month and National Flag Hoisting Working Committee chairman Dr Fary Akmal Osman said although this year's Merdeka Day celebration would be held on a modest scale, she was confident that the programmes drawn up could boost the spirit of patriotism among the public.

She said the programmes would also be carried out in collaboration with the Communications and Multimedia Ministry.

“This is part of the government’s efforts to build harmony and peaceful co-existence among the multiracial people, pay a tribute to national heroes and explain what does freedom mean to our children.

“Although we are organising the programmes through a combination of digital and conventional means, we are confident that it will help boost the spirit of patriotism, in line with this year's theme "Malaysia Prihatin" (Malaysia Cares),” she said at the launch of the Labuan-level 2020 National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign at the Labuan International School here today.

Fary Akmal said patriotism implies feelings of solidarity and mutual responsibility among the people of different ethnicities and religious backgrounds.

 “Serious efforts need to be taken to nurture the spirit of patriotism, especially among youths…although patriotism is an innate feeling, it is the responsibility of various parties to help instil the spirit of love for the country,” she said.

-- BERNAMA