Malaysia Day 2025: Penang Selected For Its Historical Significance - Mohamad Fauzi

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- Penang has been selected as the host of this year’s Malaysia Day celebration due to its significant historical background, making it a fitting location to commemorate the nation’s special day, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa said.

He said historically, Penang, together with Melaka and Singapore, once formed the Straits Settlements (before independence), which played a crucial role as major and strategic ports in the region.

Mohamad Fauzi said Penang being selected is also in line with the government’s policy since 2020 to rotate the Malaysia Day celebration among states nationwide, after it was held in Sabah last year, Sarawak (2023) and Melaka (2022).

“Among the key highlights will definitely be the signing ceremony of the book on the Proclamation of Malaysia. The book is kept alternately by the National Archives of the host state.

“This year, the Sabah Archives will hand it over to Penang. The book will be signed by the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister of Sabah and the Premier of Sarawak,” he said in a local radio interview today in conjunction with the preparations.

Mohamad Fauzi said Malaysia Day is not just a public holiday, but commemorates the historic date of Sept 16, 1963, when Malaysia was formed.

“The idea of forming Malaysia was initiated by the country’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, in May 1961, involving the proposed merger of Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore and Malaya.

“My hope is that Malaysians will take pride in what we have done for the country. Malaysia Day is not just a holiday, but a symbol of unity and shared responsibility,” he said.

The 2025 Malaysia Day celebration will take place at the PICCA Convention Centre @ Butterworth Arena in Penang on Sept 16, featuring a programme divided into five main segments.

-- BERNAMA