LABUAN: Every year in August, the whole country experiences an atmosphere that is more extraordinary than other months because August 31 coincides with Malaysia’s independence celebration.
One of the busiest organisations, the Malaysian Information Department (JaPen), is planning a number of events to encourage a sense of independence among the people during this year’s National Month celebrations.
With numerous events to fill and animate the National Month as well as raise awareness of what it means for a country to be independent, Labuan is also not left out.
Labuan Japen Assistant Director Abd Aziz Mohd Salleh said this year JaPen is actively planning a variety of events to celebrate National Month and the Kibar Jalur Gemilang Campaign.
The convoy of the Semarak Merdeka programme and Jalur Gemilang Merdeka Kembara will be stopping at Labuan to meet the people, again this year.
“We are collaborating with government organisations like the Labuan Corporation and other strategic partners like the Malaysian Family Community and Kelab Malaysiaku.
“This year’s celebration is expected to be simple but still festive, with several events involving all groups of people on the island.
“The first programme is the launch of the National Month and the Kibar Jalur Gemilang campaign at Labuan level on July 30, the starting point of the National Month celebration for the entire country,” he said.
He said that Labuan JaPen will carry out a number of national-themed programmes to foster a sense of patriotism among the people.
“Berjalan Teguh Bersama” and the distribution of the Jalur Gemilang during the launching ceremony are the initial events, and then there is the Nationality Storytelling Competition, which is available to students in high schools and universities.
Labuanites have been urged to wave the Jalur Gemilang flag wherever they are.
The second event is the Jalur Gemilang Merdeka Walk and Semarak Merdeka Programme, which involves participants walking around Labuan Island while participating in community events at several stations.
He added: “The Merdeka@Komuniti Programme will also involve the Komuniti Keluarga Malaysia in their respective localities, with content that is consistent with the concept of nationhood.”
He further stressed that in order to instil a sense of independence in the residents of Labuan, JaPen have begun circulating information about the celebration of National Month through a variety of channels.
Abd Aziz promoting the National Day celebration and the campaign of flying the Jalur Gemilang Flag at the LabuanFM.
In addition to employing some products from the Japen Cyber Media Branch, such the Influencer@JaPen Programme, as which will highlight national or patriotic icons or material, we have uploaded a variety of important information on JaPen Labuan’s social media platform.
In order to publicise the National Month and encourage people to fly the Jalur Gemilang, the Info On Wheels (IOW) publicity van has also been deployed in the focus areas, village, and town areas, he said.
Abd Aziz urged the people of Labuan to get together and observe the National Month in whichever manner they deemed fit.
“As an expression of their love for the country, everyone is invited to carry out their own national programmes and fly the Jalur Gemilang wherever they are.
We are the next generation to fight for independence, therefore may this National Month serve as a catalyst for unity among people from different backgrounds and beliefs. “May it uplift the soul and emotion of love for the country of Malaysia,” he said.
- Source: Malaysian Information Department (JaPen)
