Due to the double tragedy involving Malaysia Airlines missing flight MH370 and the crash of flight MH17, invoking the Almighty’s blessings is seen the best way to start the celebration and in ensuring the continuity of the nation’s well-being.
On the same reason, this year’s celebration is a subtle one in line with the prevailing feelings of the people.
After the prayers, the following day, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched the nationwide “Fly the Jalur Gemilang” campaign to further enhance the patriotic fervour.
This year’s celebration, with the theme ‘Malaysia… Where Love Grows’, from the lyrics of the song ‘Warisan’ made popular by legendary crooner, the late Sudirman Haji Arshad, will also see many other itineraries that showcase national pride and public patriotism.
According to the Information Department’s official celebration website, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will present his address on the eve of Aug 31.
THE CHOW KIT ROAD 2.0 CONCERT
Other than the Merdeka parade at Dataran Merdeka on Aug 31, another main celebration itinerary is the Chow Kit Road 2.0 Memory concert.
According to the Information Department Director-General Datuk Ibrahim Abdul Rahman, the ‘Chow Kit Road’ concert is staged to promote patriotism.
“We want the society to relook into the patriotism element in the original concert held more than 25 years ago by the late singer Sudirman Haji Arshad, with patriotic songs like Tanggal 31 and Warisan”, he said during the Ruang Bicara programme produced by Bernama TV here recently.
MERDEKA WEEK
The other programmes planned are the Merdeka Week from Aug 28 to Sept 1, from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm.
Ibrahim noted that for the first time, the Merdeka Week that held from Aug 28 to Sept 1 with 11 activities include exhibition, seminars and sales in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Also in the list are the National Asset exhibition (on the grounds of Stadium Merdeka car park), Auto show Merdeka (Stadium Merdeka Loading Bay), Jualan Boom Merdeka (Padang Merbok) and Blog Shop Fiesta (Medan Pasar Square).
“The main aim is to augment the patriotic fervour and to show one’s love for the nation”, he said.
— BERNAMA
