PUTRAJAYA - The national-level Malaysia Day celebration should be held on a rotational basis in each state to provide an opportunity for all Malaysians to understand and imbibe the significance of the date Sept 16, said political analyst Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian.
He said this method would create an atmosphere for Malaysia Day similar to the excitement surrounding the National Day celebration that is eagerly awaited by all levels of society every year.
"The national-level Malaysia Day celebration was previously held in Melaka. I believe it should continue to be celebrated in Peninsular Malaysia, just as the National Day celebration should also be held in Sabah and Sarawak.
"Because we are Malaysians, and Malaysia is us. This reflects the patriotic spirit and would help nurture this spirit among the younger generation who appear enthusiastic about celebrating the National Day,” he told Bernama.
On June 24, 2020, the Cabinet meeting agreed that the Malaysia Day celebrations would rotate between Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.
The Malaysia Day celebration was held for the first time in Peninsular Malaysia last year, with Melaka hosting the event to commemorate the formation of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963.
Social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said that a higher sense of patriotism would be instilled in all segments of society if the celebrations were held on a rotational basis, as this would allow people to learn about the country’s independence from colonial rule and the formation of Malaysia.
"If the people do not know about their homeland, how can there be feelings of respect, love and loyalty to the country?” he said, adding that the celebration of the nation’s historic day symbolises the patriotic spirit and love for the country.
This year’s Malaysia Day celebration will adopt the same theme as the National Day 2023, which is ‘Malaysia MADANI: Tekad Perpaduan Penuhi Harapan’, while the Iban phrase ‘Segulai Sejalai’ (Together in Unity) will be used as a unity slogan for the entire nation.
The national-level celebration will be held at Stadium Perpaduan in Kuching, Sarawak on Sept 16.
Meanwhile, historian Prof Dr Ramlah Adam proposed combining the National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations into a single national-level event.
"Why don’t the government combine the celebrations because, as Malaysians, we unite under one flag, the Jalur Gemilang.
"This symbolises the unity and consensus of the people in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s aspiration to unite the people,” said the former professor at Universiti Malaya. - BERNAMA