YOUNG HEARTS BEATING: Students in an onward march with the nation.
SIBU: The colours of the Jalur Gemilang were flying high in Sibu Jaya yesterday morning as 1,672 students together their parents and teachers took part in the Malaysia Day parade.
Hosted by SMK Sibu Jaya, they were the only group in town to initiate such a mass gathering to promote patriotism in line with the national celebration.
The students sang patriotic songs and waved flags as they assembled in the school field at daybreak.
They then paraded around the new township, about 27km from here, in the one hour patriotic walk.
Assistant school principal Kelly Medan said they hoped the event would inculcate the love of the nation among the young generation to let them understand the struggles for freedom 49 years ago by their forefathers.
“Young Malaysians need to treasure harmony and unity that has bound the nation in friendship and brotherhood. This will add values to our life.”
Kelly, who is also the event organising chairman, said the young must also remember every Sept 16 as a great day for them.
“We hope through this patriotic event, we shall bind our efforts with students of other schools in Sibu Jaya. We are all of one love for the nation.”
Chairman of the school PTA, Danggang Ugik said Malaysia Day was to celebrate the achievements of the nation by Malaysians.
LOVE ON WHEELS: Students wrap themselves in the nation’s flags as they parade around the town.
As a former member of the army personnel, he said he understood the virtue of harmony and peace; he hoped to pass these values to the young ones to bind the nation together.
“The love for Malaysia is not a show on the surface; it must come from the hearts. We are passing this on.”
He said the unity must hold a high value because Malaysia was a developing nation; the onward march needs the harmonious efforts of all.
Children with special needs also performed in the celebration yesterday.
Other students came in various cultural costumes to depict the nation as a garden of harmonious colours.
There were groups coming on bicycles decorated with flags, traditional gong beating on wheels and lots of other cultural celebrative colours.
GARDEN OF COLOURS: Students come in various cultural costumes in the brotherhood of the nation.