Local Government Development Ministry's seven arches depicting independence timeline an innovative approach to boost patriotism

PUTRAJAYA - Creating an arch depicting the timeline of Malaysia's independence using waste materials is an innovative approach to cultivating the spirit of cooperation to boost patriotism as well as learning the history of the nation.

To this end, the Legal Division of the Local Government Development Ministry (KPKT) carried out an initiative in conjunction with the Public Sector Conducive Ecosystem (EKSA) Merdeka decoration competition as part of its efforts to liven up the 2023 National Day.

Seven arches were created to reflect different eras of Malaysia's history ranging from the Melaka Malay Sultanate between 1400 and 1511; the colonisation of Portuguese (1511-1641), Dutch (1641-1824) and British (1824-1957); Bukit Kepong incident in Muar, Johor (Feb 23, 1950); Japanese occupation (December 1941); post-Merdeka (Aug 31, 1957- 1967); National Day celebration on Aug 31, 1957, and the country's milestones after achieving independence, which includes the Parliament building.

KPKT Legal Division, assistant senior legal officer, Zazarina Dzukifli said waste material formed more than 60 per cent of the medium used to construct the arches that depicted the Melaka Malay Sultanate, a warship, Bukit Kepong police station, old model television, Petronas Twin Towers and Tugu Negara.

"We used recycled waste materials such as cardboard boxes, paper, rope, plastic spoons, polystyrene containers, and straws. The arches are now on display at Level 10 of the KPKT building,” she told Bernama recently.

Zazarina said prior to starting the project, the 30 staff from the KPKT Legal Division had to revise their knowledge of Malaysian history first.

Apart from unveiling their talents through the endeavour, the participants were also touched by their ancestors’ battle to gift the legacy of independence to the present-day generation.

"We created the arches with sorrow and pride in our hearts while recalling the patriotic spirit of bygone generations, and appreciating how lucky we are to be born after Malaysia's independence," she said.

Meanwhile, KPKT assistant legal officer, Mohd Hanif Najdi Mohd Saufi described the process of making the arches as a wonderful memory of spending time with colleagues and trying to interpret each other's creativity.

"Only when there is a contest like this, we realise the importance of teamwork and also discover our co-workers' hidden talents, because we usually see them busy working. But they do have creative skills. This kind of activity also helps to reduce stress,” he said.

He said the arches were built in line with the third core value under Malaysia Madani, which was introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Jan 19.

The third core value is Innovation, and the rest are Sustainability, Prosperity, Respect, Trust, and Compassion.

The 2023 National Day celebration themed ‘Malaysia Madani: Tekad Perpaduan, Penuhi Harapan’ (Determination in Unity, Fulfilling Hope) will be held at Dataran Putrajaya here on Thursday, Aug 31.

Putrajaya previously hosted the National Day celebration in 2003, 2005, 2018, and 2019. - BERNAMA