MALAYSIA DAY CELEBRATION CAN PROMOTE POSITIVE SENTIMENT - MINISTER

KOTA KINABALU (Sabah, Malaysia), Sept 15 (Bernama) -- Recognition of Malaysia
Day and the National level celebrations held for the first time this year, are
to ensure a positive sentiment towards Merdeka (Independence) Day on Aug 31 and
Malaysia Day on Sept 16.

Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim said since the
Malaysia Day has been observed starting this year, it should continue in the
future.

"This is the first time the country, through the federal government with the
agreement of the state governments, officially host the Malaysia Day
celebrations on Sept 16...so don't only show a positive sentiment towards
Merdeka Day on Aug 31 but also Sept 16, every year.

"In coming years, we will celebrate both days as the country's most
significant days," he told reporters after witnessing a full dress rehearsal for the
Malaysia Day celebrations here Tuesday.

He said the people of Malaysia must celebrate Malaysia Day because it was a
country that was build collectively, no matter what race, religion, culture or
political ideology.

"We must instill the message. Whether it is a leader, member of a party or
opposition, we must celebrate as one and love the celebration as a national
celebration," he said.

He added that there could have been better representation of the image and
message of the various provinces in Sarawak, Sabah (states in east Malaysia) and
the peninsula, so that it would reach the optimum attention.

"What is important is that the depiction gives meaning to the people...to Sabah,
Sarawak and the peninsula. On the whole we can see that it portrays an
attractive presentation for the Sept 16 message. Hopefully a number of segments
that were suggested can be included," he said.

Asked of his expectation of the crowd, Dr Rais said he was informed by Sabah
Chief Minister Musa Aman that the whole field would be overflowing with people.

Sabah was pronounced as the first host after Prime Minister Najib Razak
announced that the public holiday on Sept 16 would be extended to the people in
the Peninsula and the date observed as Malaysia Day from this year onwards,
amidst a national celebration.

Najib is expected to officially launch the celebrations that would be carried
live on Radio Television Malaysia, at 8pm on Sept 16, while the signing of the
Malaysia Day Book by the Prime Minister and the chief ministers of Sabah and
Sarawak, will be among the highlight of the celebrations.

The signing of the special gold-plated book is aimed at remembering the
historical notes made during the annual Malaysia Day celebrations for the next
100 years.

Among programmes lined up are a 'Red Carpet' interview of VIPs while the prime
minister would also present a special award to four recipients who were involved
directly in the formation of Malaysia.

The four recipients would comprise one each from Sabah and Sarawak and two from
the peninsula.

Malaysia Day is held on Sept 16 to commemorate the establishment of the
Malaysian federation on the same date in 1963. It marked the joining together of
Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore to form Malaysia. Singapore withdrew from
Malaysia in 1965.
-- BERNAMA