Ministry To Host Nation-Building Conference, Chart New Unity Direction

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of National Unity will organise the Nation-Building Conference this October in an effort to further strengthen unity among Malaysians.

Its minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the conference will pave the way for a new direction through the development of a Nation-Building Action Plan, as part of a comprehensive initiative to reinforce the foundations of national unity.

“The concept of Nation-Building, which is still under discussion, is what we want to bring forward and highlight as a key direction that we will continue to pursue at the Ministry of National Unity.

“At present, we have yet to finalise things. We may invite neighbouring countries... but I see historical value in this, so we will invite historians, professors from relevant fields to present papers for discussion at the conference,” he said.

He said this when met after appearing as a guest on BERNAMA TV's  “Ruang Bicara” programme titled National-Level Unity Week 2025 Celebration here tonight.

Meanwhile, Aaron said the National-Level Unity Week (SMP) 2025 celebration, to be held over four days starting July 17 at Batu Kawan Stadium in Penang, is expected to serve as a platform for fostering unity among visitors through participation in a variety of engaging activities.

“Many events are planned, including a Unity Walk. There will also be various sales and cultural activities lasting into the night, longhouse-themed activities and performances by diverse and unique ethnic groups,” he said.

He added that SMP 2025 also involves the participation of various government and private agencies, a security assets exhibition, MADANI Sales, and performances by popular artistes through a heritage night.

Penang is the third location for the annual event, following the first celebration held in Kuching in 2023 and Johor Bahrur last year.

This year’s celebration will feature several main segments reflecting the diversity and uniqueness of Malaysia’s ethnic groups, and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to officiate the celebration on July 19.

The main segments of SMP 2025 include an exhibition of 24 ethnic houses such as Siam, Chetti, Kerinci, Melayu Brunei, Baba Nyonya, Kedayan, Penan and Bisaya, as well as a historical timeline exhibition by the Museums Department and the National Archives.

Also featured will be a Kadazan Dusun and Orang Asli village showcase, while the final segment will be “foodunites” – a gathering of ethnic heritage food at 24 stalls.

-- BERNAMA