ENLIVEN SPIRIT OF MERDEKA IN CHILDREN, SAYS M`SIAN PM`S WIFE

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 (Bernama) -- Rosmah Mansor, the wife of the
prime minister, Thursday suggested that the spirit of Merdeka (independence) be
enlivened in children as young as six years or less so that they would continue
to celebrate Merdeka Day in their adulthood.

She said nurseries and kindergartens should organise Merdeka Day
celebrations to instill in the children the spirit of independence and enable
them understand its meaning.

It was important to educate children to appreciate the struggles of past
leaders in winning independence for the country, she told reporters after
attending the Merdeka Day celebrations organised by the Iris Gloria Children's
House, here.

She said celebrating Merdeka Day was not just about expressing the word
"Merdeka".

"It's more than that. It's about enlivening independence. Why do we
celebrate Merdeka? What did the people and leaders before us do to claim
independence from the British?" she said.

Rosmah said she was happy that the Iris Gloria Children's House held the
Merdeka Day celebration to create awareness in the children on the need to
celebrate the occasion.

At the event, about 100 children of the care centre presented to Rosmah a
53-foot long banner adorned with drawings and paintings depicting independence,
including the 1Malaysia logo, for display in a public place.

The number 53 denotes the 53rd anniversary of Malaysia's independence this
year, on Aug 31.

Rosmah said kindergarten teachers should also educate children to understand
the meaning of the Rukun Negara (the National Ideology).
-- BERNAMA