Dept wants merrier Merdeka Month

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KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Information Department wants to make this year’s Merdeka Month a merrier and patriotic affair, with more Malaysians hoisting Jalur Gemilang at their homes, workplaces and business areas.

Its director Almain Ajirul said among the highlights in the department’s preparation to welcome August 31 was to get government and private agencies as well as individual property owners to decorate their buildings and properties with the state and Malaysian flags.

“We also want people to get creative by putting up other patriotic decorations, apart from the flags. We want the spirit of patriotism and independence to be more visible and strongly felt everywhere we look throughout the month of August,” said Almain when chairing the Merdeka Celebration publicity sub-committee meeting at Wisma Dang Bandang here, yesterday.

He said a “Keceriaan Merdeka” competition would be held as one of the key events this year, to encourage the public to hoist the Jalur Gemilang and to decorate their homes and workplaces for the coming Independence Day celebration.

Cash prizes, plaques and certificates of appreciation will be given to winners in eight categories, including private houses and non-governmental organizations.

“We will also select the best decorated village, for which the winning kampung will receive RM2,500 cash. We will also give RM2,000 for the school category while private agencies will receive RM1,000. The owner of the best decorated house will be given RM500

“In Sabah, participation from government and private agencies has not been as great compared to that in Peninsular Malaysia. I think it will be even more grandeur in Semenanjung this year as it will mark the 57th year of Malaya’s independence, which gained its freedom in 1957.

“Its a double 57, a special year. So, I think we in Sabah too would want to show our appreciation by having a merrier Merdeka Month this year,” he said.

Apart from the Merdeka Display contest, usual programmes such as Jalur Gemilang Expedition will also be continued this year, covering all 25 districts across the state.

The first convoy will be flagged off in the state capital on August 9, followed by Ranau, Tuaran, Penampang and Putatan.

Convoys will also be flagged off in Tawau on August 20, Sandakan on 25th, Kudat on Sept 2, Keningau on Sept 3 and Sipitang on the 12th.

The Kembara Merdeka will end on Sept 15 in Papar, a day before the Malaysia Day celebration in Kuching on Sept 16.

The annual Merdeka Parade will be held at the Likas Sports Complex on August 31.

The launching of Merdeka Month is expected to be held on August 4 at Lintasan Deasoka and to be officiated by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman.

Lintasan Deasoka will also be the hosting venue for the state- level Merdeka Eve celebration on August 30.