Evoking the National Day spirit in war against Covid-19

KUALA LUMPUR: Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar wants the Malaysian spirit demonstrated during the struggle for the nation’s independence to be emulated among the people in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said any effort to stop the disease from spreading would be for naught if efforts to contain the infection were left to only the frontliners and the government.

“The same principle of the struggle (for independence) must be emulated and everyone must come forward to make the country free from the pandemic.

“This task requires us to emulate the fighting spirit when the country was in the early stages of nation-building and had just achieved its independence.

“For the people of Terengganu, the spirit of (religious leaders) Hj Abdul Rahman Limbong and Tok Ku Paloh is deeply embedded in them.

“In fact, both figures and others like them are what motivate us to overcome all obstacles, including Covid-19, which is a threat to us and the world,” he said in conjunction with the launch of the National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang 2021 campaign by the Prime Minister.

Also present at the launch held at Wisma Berita, Angkasapuri, here was Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah who chairs the National Day and Malaysia Day 2021 Celebrations Main Committee.

With the theme of “Malaysia Prihatin”, Terengganu will host both the celebrations although due to the pandemic, no physical gathering will be held.

In GEORGE TOWN, Penang launched its month-long National Day celebration in a hybrid of physical and virtual events.

Although members of the various agencies and groups were not allowed to gather, they united via video conferencing and social media platforms.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the celebration would be carried out in line with the new norm and that this should not deter the people from showcasing their love and patriotism for the country.

“Despite a limited physical presence, officials from various agencies and state bodies are participating through video conferencing.

“The new norm is not a barrier for us to foster patriotism among ourselves.

“With the logo of a heart in the colours of Jalur Gemilang, which was introduced last year, we are reminded to work together and stay united for the safety and harmony of all.

“Penang through its Lawan Covid-19 campaign will continue implementing necessary measures to ensure that all of our adult population receive at least their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine by early September to achieve herd immunity earlier than scheduled,” he said during the launch of the celebration yesterday.

During the launch, which was broadcast live on social media, a band performance for Negaraku by personnel from the Army’s Second Battalion in Sungai Ara Camp was also streamed online.

Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng added to festivities by flagging off a PPC car festively decked with flags, which will be driven around to instil the National Day mood in George Town.