Malaysia Day: The spirit of togetherness must be renewed

KUALA LUMPUR, 14 September: The spirit of solidarity for Malaysia Day celebrations should be continually renewed to ensure that the awareness of the formation of Malaysia is not only focused on National Day celebrations.

Assistant Director of the Cyber Media Division at M. Yokananthini said 31 August commemorates the independence of Tanah Melayu while 16 September marks Malaysia's formation in 1963 with both dates having different historical meanings.

"It's very important... if we say the same thing, not only do we want to see August 31 celebrated but September 16 is not so festive... it should be, a very festive celebration until Sept. 16", he said as a guest on Bernama TV's Tonight Malaysia program today.

He said Malaysia Day celebrations were also held in other states and not only focused on Sabah and Sarawak.

"Last year in Penang, this year in Sarawak... next year maybe in another state", he said.

In the run-up to the 16 September celebrations, a variety of cultural fillings will be provided including a pocket show from 14 to 16 September featuring Sarawak tribal culture and ethnic dance performances three times a day at Plaza Merdeka.

Yokananthini said that small-scale pop-ups were also held in 10 parts of Sarawak besides silent performances, hadra groups, pampat drumming and lion dancing as a symbol of harmony and multi-ethnic community unity in Malaysia.

He also urged Malaysians to play a role as ambassadors of unity by flying the national flag through the One House, One Beautiful Path initiative and generating positive, inspiring and patriotic content through digital platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

The broadcast was also streamed live via RTM TV1, RTM Click and official digital platforms including Facebook of the Malaysian Information Department as well as Merdeka 360.

The summit reception at the Borneo Kuching Convention Centre on 16 September will feature a lineup of artists including Faizal Tahir and Stacy as well as some 50 more in addition to symbolic events signing books related to Malaysia's formation which will be housed in the Malaysian National Archives State Sarawak. - TVS