Next Year's SMP To Adopt '2-in-1' Concept With State Ethnic Minority Festivals - Aaron

BATU KAWAN, July 19 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of National Unity is developing a new strategy to enhance next year’s Unity Week (SMP) celebration by introducing a ‘2-in-1’ concept at the state level, combining SMP with the celebration of ethnic minority cultural festivals unique to each state.

National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the initiative aims to recognise the heritage of ethnic minorities while providing a platform for Malaysians to appreciate the cultural diversity that shapes the national identity.

“For example, Perak will feature the Siamese community through the Songkran Festival, Sarawak with the Melanau’s Kaul Festival, Sabah with the Rungus’ Magahau Festival, Kelantan with the Orang Asli Temiar celebration, and Johor with the Bugis’ Lepa-Lepa Festival.

“The ministry remains committed to fostering unity, nationhood, goodwill, and volunteerism among Malaysians. These efforts are aligned with the Federal Constitution, the Rukun Negara, and guided by the National Unity Policy,” he said when addressing the National-Level 2025 SMP celebration at Batu Kawan Stadium here today.

The third edition of SMP, held in Penang, was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and attended by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, and Deputy National Unity Minister K. Saraswathy.

Commenting further, Aaron said the National Unity Index (IPNas), currently in its third implementation, is expected to achieve a score of 0.7, reflecting the level of unity among Malaysians.

He added that the index measures key aspects such as inter-ethnic relations, perceptions of national identity, and social beliefs, serving as a crucial reference in formulating the ministry’s policies and initiatives to strengthen national unity.

“Since 2023, various initiatives have been implemented, clearly showing that building the Negara Bangsa (Nation-State) is the ultimate goal of efforts to enhance unity,” he said.

Aaron added that the Negara Bangsa (Nation-State) has now been designated as one of the main thrusts under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). In this regard, the ministry is conducting engagement sessions nationwide to develop the Negara Bangsa (Nation-State) Action Plan, which will culminate in the Negara Bangsa (Nation-State) Conference this October.

On SMP 2025, Aaron said the celebration, themed ‘Harmony in Diversity,’ aims to foster greater harmony among people of different faiths in Malaysia and reflect the reality of a plural society through the values of understanding, respect, and acceptance as the foundation of national unity.

There are more than 40 main activities held throughout SMP 2025 including the ‘Rumah KAMI’ exhibition, the Kadazan Dusun and Orang Asli villages, the ‘Malaysia Tanah Airku’ exhibition, the ‘Susur Masa’ exhibition by the Department of Museums, the National Library Pavilion, Food Unites, MADANI Sales, local handicraft and product sales, durian fiesta, the Penang Book Festival and cultural prerformances.

More than 250,000 visitors from diverse backgrounds, religions, and cultures thronged SMP 2025, making it a vibrant platform that showcased the true spirit of Malaysian unity.

-- BERNAMA