Patriotism builds unity and togetherness
RIZALMAN HAMMIM BATU PAHAT news@nst.com.my
IN an effort to enliven the upcoming Merdeka celebrations and boost the spirit of patriotism and love for the country among the people, the Information Department launched the national-level “Negaraku Sehati Sejiwa” programme here on Tuesday.
The two-day event, which was held in collaboration with the Johor Government, was held at the Batu Pahat Stadium and featured a variety of activities.
It was launched by Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak.
In his speech, Salleh said undivided loyalty to the country would encourage a spirit of sacrifice for the country while a spirit of patriotism would build a sense of unity and togetherness among the people
He added, the value of patriotism that has been embedded in every Malaysian is a catalyst to the efforts to develop and to ensure the country's prosperity.
"The continuity of the nation must be filled with the people's readiness to work hard according to their specialties and expertise and to achieve the country's vision, especially Transfomasi Nasional 50," said Salleh.
He said patriotism belongs to all Malaysians, so the process to boost and enliven the spirit should be shouldered by all Bangsa Malaysia.
"Patriotism does not only mean flying the Jalur Gemilang and singing Negaraku during the Merdeka celebrations but to also understand and practice the wisdom we have learnt from the past," said Salleh.
Also present at the launch were the ministry's secretary general Datuk Seri Dr Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad, Information Department director-general Datuk Ibrahim Abdul Rahman, state Health, Environment, Education and Information Executive Committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat, who was representing Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, and State Secretary Datuk Azmi Rohani.
The event also saw the presence of Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian and Prof Datuk Dr Teo Kok Seong who were recognised as Patriotic Icons in conjunction with the 2017 Merdeka Month celebration. Information Department director-general Datuk Ibrahim Abdul Rahman with Patriotic Icons, Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Social Sciences lecturer Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Institute of Ethnic Studies principal fellow Professor Datuk Dr Teo Kok Seong and #sehatisejiwa volunteers during the launch of the national-level Negaraku Sehati Sejiwa programme..
More than 25,000 people gathered at the Batu Pahat Stadium to witness the launch of the programme.
Among the activities that were held in conjunction with the event were Zikir Cinta Negara, Larian Negaraku, the Caring Bridge exhibition and Konsert 83000 Batu Pahat as well as performances by buskers and food trucks
For the Caring Bridge exhibition, 55 government agencies and companies took part. Among the booths that were available includes a Telco Mini Centre, sale and demonstation by MyTV and an exhibition by the Meteorology Department.
More than 2,000 participants comprising of mostly of school and university students took part in the 10km Larian Negaraku.
Also launched at the event was the Kembara Merdeka Negaraku convoy comprising of 19 vehicles and 60 high-powered motorcycles.
The pinnacle of the event was a concert which featured the performances of popular local artistes including Akin & The Majistret, Wany Hasrita, Khai Bahar, Erny Zakri, Irfan Haris, Sufian Suhaimi, Syamel and Najwa Latif.