Orang asli band together
Pupils show off wristbands in display of patriotic spirit
GELANG PATAH: Orang asli children of SK Ladang Pendas will be proudly wearing their patriotism on their wrists until Malaysia Day.
All 84 of Year One to Six pupils received the #AnakAnakMalaysia wristbands recently and have been happily showing them off.
Year Five pupil Ezra Rolene said he would wear it not just to celebrate Merdeka but until Malaysia Day on Sept 16.
“We get flags every year but this year, we got wristbands, something different and unique,” he said.
His friend Timutius Tan, 12, said the teachers have been playing videos about Merdeka and teaching the children about the country’s independence.
“We are excited about Merdeka and hope to watch the parade on TV,” he said.
Headmaster Johari Shuhadak said the orang asli children were close-knit because they were all from Kampung Simpang Arang, about 50km from the city.
“They love sharing and they always divide food and gifts among themselves,” he said.
The Malaysian Red Crescent Society’s (MRCS) National Committee for Community Services deputy chairman, Datuk Mohd Rashidi Mohd Nor, who was present to oversee a food programme organised with KFC Malaysia at the school, said such meaningful campaigns would have a positive impact on young minds.
“We can see how the children really get into the activities, such as flag colouring, singing national songs, listening to Merdeka stories and waving the flag,” he said.
KFC Malaysia, with the MRCS, started providing breakfast daily and KFC meals once a month to the children this year.
Malaysians are invited to show their love for the country by wearing the #AnakAnakMalaysia wristband and sharing a photo or video of themselves with it at www. anakanakmalaysia.com.
Free wristbands come with copies of The Star today.
The #AnakAnakMalaysia campaign, which runs until Sept 16, is a collaboration between Malaysia’s fastest-rising property developer – Eco World Development Group Bhd – and the nation’s leading Englishlanguage newspaper.
The wristbands are also available at any EcoWorld show gallery and Star Media Group offices nationwide.
Radio cruisers from RedFM, SuriaFM and 988FM will also be distributing the wristbands during their stops to spread Merdeka cheer.