Celebrations in the air: The MBPP Walkway at Lebuh Pantai in George Town, Penang, is decked with Jalur Gemilang for National Day. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
VIBRANT Jalur Gemilang fluttering along streets, buildings and public spaces are painting a colourful and patriotic scene to welcome the nation’s independence day this Saturday.
The celebration is further amplified by a wide array of programmes and events organised by elected representatives, schools, local communities and organisations honouring the nation’s history and heritage.
These also include community gatherings and distribution of goodies for the less fortunate.
The Jalur Gemilang decorating Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway for National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations in George Town, Penang. — KT GOH, CHAN BOON KAI, ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
Hoisting flags high
Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying, who is also Tanjong MP, said she gave out 2,810 Jalur Gemilang to 21 schools in her constituency.
She said local communities were hosting various activities to celebrate National Day while children were being taught about the significance of this historic day.
“I urge the public to join in to fly the Jalur Gemilang. This will help foster a strong patriotic spirit within the community,” she said.
“Thank you to all volunteers, especially the Village Community Management Council (MPKK) members for helping to put up the flags.
Ramkarpal (second from right) and Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan Hooi Peng (right) interacting with the public after presenting goodie bags at the Paya Terubong market.
“Hopefully, with the Jalur Gemilang fluttering throughout the area, we will embrace and celebrate the true essence of independence and national harmony, in aligning with this year’s national theme ‘Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka’.
“The flags not only mark our celebration, but also deepen our appreciation for values of freedom and unity that define us.”
Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng said hundreds of flags had been put up especially in Kampung Melayu and Air Itam markets.
“We gave out the Jalur Gemilang to schools, police stations and Fire and Rescue Departments in the area.
“There was a walkabout last weekend, a talk on Merdeka at the Taman Mawar dewan in Bandar Baru Air Itam and a children’s drawing programme as part of the celebration,” he said.
Sundarajoo (in white shirt) joining in the National Day celebration with pupils and the local community at Kampung Mainroad in Perai during the ‘Fly the Jalur Gemilang’ programme. — Courtesy photo
Paya Terubong assemblyman Wong Hon Wai said several residents associations were roped in to organise Merdeka-themed events in their neighbourhood.
“There are 300 high-rises in Paya Terubong and an additional 60 in Relau,” he said.
“Each year, a number of residents associations, temples and community associations take the initiative to host activities for Merdeka.
“They plan their own programmes to mark Merdeka Day, further enhancing the community spirit and national pride. It ensures the Merdeka spirit is felt throughout the community.”
Seri Delima assemblyman Connie Tan also joined her constituents in the “Jiwa Komuniti Madani” programme to mark the National Day celebrations.
Students of St Xavier’s Institution getting ready to hoist a giant flag to mark the school’s National Day celebrations.
The festive atmosphere began with a procession by kindergarten children in Taman Tun Sardon and an event to plant Malaysia’s national flower – the hibiscus – to observe the National Month.
At the Kuantan Road market, Penang Deputy Chief Minister ll and Datuk Keramat assemblyman Jagdeep Singh Deo and Jelutong MP RSN Rayer distributed the Jalur Gemilang to market traders and passers-by.
“There was tremendous response from people who received the Jalur Gemilang,” Jagdeep said.
Roping in children
In Bayan Baru, a series of engaging programmes was held as part of the Merdeka celebrations hosted by MP Sim Tze Tzin.
He said the activities at SK Bayan Baru were designed to encourage widespread community involvement.
Some of the participants playing games at the Penang Transit Centre for the Homeless in Jalan CY Choy during its first year anniversary celebration with a Merdeka theme. — Courtesy of Buletin Mutiara
“Each programme is community-focused as we aim to create a joyful celebration that includes participation from all walks of life,” he said.
The event, which drew thousands of participants, featured a diverse array of programmes.
These included exhibitions, aerobics sessions, a Jualan Rahmah (charity sale), kiosks for licence and road tax renewal, payment of fines and free dental check-ups.
Additionally, there were special programmes for children, such as a painting competition and a traditional dress fashion show.
The cooking events were particularly notable, with competitions for decorating pulut kuning (yellow glutinous rice) and making roti jala, all themed around “Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka”.
Majlis Pengurusan Komuniti Kampung volunteers helping to put up flags at George Town. — Courtesy photo
Sim said the comprehensive line-up of National Day activities focused on unity was designed to bring together people from all segments of the community.
On the mainland, Perai assemblyman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo organised a “Fly the Jalur Gemilang” programme at Kampung Main Road, which saw the participation of about 100 people including community leaders and pupils from schools there.
“Patriotism and multiracialism should be cultivated among children from a young age.
“Growing up, they will have compassion and respect for the people.
“We have involved schoolchildren in most of our Merdeka programmes to convey to them a message that our forefathers fought hard for independence,” he said, adding that he also gave out the Jalur Gemilang to the public at the Chai Leng Park market.
Children running past a fence decorated with Jalur Gemilang at Flat Kampung Melayu in Air Itam.
Bagan Dalam assemblyman K. Kumaran joined in the “Fly Jalur Gemilang” event and Bagan “Unity Walk” at the Sri Bandar Heng Choon Thian public market.
He also distributed the Jalur Gemilang to traders and visitors.
There was a “Jalur Gemilang Bagan Dalam 2024 Convoy” too near SK Kuala Perai, with about 350 participants.
Early birds also received goodie bags.
At the SMK St Xaviers, the school designed a giant Jalur Gemilang measuring 2m x 5m reflecting the “Jiwa Besar” symbol.
The school’s co-curriculum senior assistant Asri Meran said this was the first time the school had taken up the task with the help of its Parent- Teacher Association.
“This school carries a long history of achievements, way before Merdeka.
“We would like to continue the spirit of Merdeka during this auspicious month,” added Asri.
MPKK volunteers placing a flag in George Town to rekindle the spirit of patriotism. — Courtesy photo
Helping the poor
Penang Malay Association (Pemenang) is organising its yearly National Day thanksgiving prayer and fellowship at its premises in Jalan Pemenang on Friday.
“We have invited about 100 people, including 60 people from an orphanage, to join us in prayers and dinner at around 7.30pm,” said Pemenang president Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff.
Penang Chowrasta Traders Association organised a celebration with 120 children from Tabika Perpaduan, Bandar Baru Air Itam.
Association chairman Mohamed Nasir Mohideen said the association decided to host the celebration with the children so they could grow up to appreciate National Day.
“There are various programmes being planned for Merdeka this year. They will involve association members and the public,” he added.
The Bukit Gelugor parliamentary constituency kicked off its National Day celebrations by giving hampers to 300 B40 folk at the Paya Terubong market open hall.
Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh said the hampers worth RM150 each were distributed in equal numbers to constituents in Air Itam, Seri Delima and Paya Terubong state constituencies.
“Each hamper comprised rice and basic household essentials because we feel the Merdeka spirit should be evident through acts to help the poor,” he said.
Celebrating a milestone
The Penang Transit Centre for the Homeless celebrated its first year anniversary in a patriotic way with a National Day themed celebration.
The event at the Jalan CY Choy centre saw its residents and the local community coming together for a joyous gathering.
Penang social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said the state government welcomed such initiatives involving the homeless and local community.
“About 100 of the centre’s residents, the local community and volunteers participated in the event aimed at fostering harmony and unity within the community,” she said.
In addition to a parade from the Flat Lebuh Noordin to the centre where the Jalur Gemilang was hung, a variety of games also took place to promote interaction.
“Looking at the progress the centre has made so far, it is very positive.
“I hope residents here will continue to maintain the cleanliness and environment of this centre,” said Siew Khim.
Despite facing challenges during its initial stages, she said the centre had developed into a community place with remarkable progress after one year of operation.
In its initial stages of operation, the centre was unable to provide daily meals, she said.
But as time passed, more and more contributions were received from non-governmental organisations, state assemblymen, MPKK and temple associations.
Siew Khim said these contributions benefitted the homeless at the centre and also the low-income community living nearby.
“As of today, 108 homeless people successfully secured employment as the centre works closely with 29 companies in job matching,” she said.
Also present at the centre’s event were Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng and the centre manager Nazatulwanis Mohd Khorish.
