Independence Declaration Memorial Square venue for Malaysia Day celebration to evoke historic moment 

MELAKA, Sept 13 (Bernama) -- The selection of the Independence Declaration Memorial Square in Banda Hilir, here, as the location for the 2022 Malaysia Day celebration aims to evoke the historic moment when the country became an independent nation.

Melaka Unity, Information, Human Resources and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Ngwe Hee Sem said the location was where first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahmad Putra Al-Haj announced to the nation that the Independence  Agreement had been signed and Malaya would become an independent country on Aug 31, 1957.

"That moment then became the starting point for the establishment of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963," he told Bernama here.

Ngwe said the historic moment would be featured through Segment 2: Trails of Merdeka under a Special Performance “Dari Robohan Kota Melaka, Kita Dirikan Negara Merdeka”.

 "The segment features the scenario when the proclamation of Independence was made and a diorama of Tunku Abdul Rahman arriving in an antique car with his entourage, with the role of Tunku Abdul Rahman to be played by Che'Kem from the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA),” he said.

The Machap Jaya Assemblyman said the selection of the fashion of the 50s and 60s as the theme for the 2022 Malaysia Day celebration was also apt as it would give a true picture of the country’s scenario at that time.

From the historical perspective, he said, Melaka has many socio-political legacies.

"Historically, Melaka served as transit or stopover for traders from all over the world. In 2008 Melaka was declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a World Heritage City.

"The recognition of this world body makes Melaka a unique and special state," he said.

Ngwe said by having the 2022 Malaysia Day celebration in Melaka, it also highlighted the various ethnic groups in the state, such as  Baba and Nyonya, Sikh, Chetti, Portuguese and the Orang Asli, thus reflecting the unity of the people which is a symbol of the Malaysian Family.

"This is evident through the Recitation of the Rukun Negara Pledge by 14 people, representing the diverse community of the Malaysian Family, to be led by a recipient of the Tokoh Guru award, Abd Rani Embi,” he said and called on all Malaysians to attend the Malaysia Day celebration which will be held for the first time in the peninsula.

-- BERNAMA