KOTA KINABALU, Sept 6- This year’s Malaysia Day, or the 50th anniversary of Sabah’s independence within Malaysia, will be unique in that it will be celebrated at a location along the Tanjung Aru coast in Sabah.
“I see a difference in this year’s celebration. The venue of the celebrations is on the coast,” said Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek after a visit to the location – Taman Prince Philip in Tanjung Aru.
He said various types of traditional houses would be showcased as part of the celebration on Sept 16.
“These houses reflect the various communities in Sabah. Visitors will be able to see the diversity of the people in Sabah. Furthermore, we will see a large gathering of people, demonstrating how the people live in peace and have mutual respect for one another,” he said.
Ahmad Shabery expressed satisfaction with the preparations for the celebration, saying the 50th anniversary of Sabah’s independence within Malaysia was a historic moment for all Malaysians in the state.
I find that the preparations are going on smoothly. We hope it will be a success come Sept 16,” he told reporters during the visit to the venue. Also present was Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin.
Ahmad Shabery said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would launch the eco-development for the Tanjung Aru coast.
The celebration would incorporate various interesting performances, including a fireworks display, till late into the night, he said.
The minister said the Malaysia Day celebration was to serve as a reminder for all the people on the significance of the formation of Malaysia through the merging of Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula (Malaya).
“The presence of Sabah and Sarawak in the formation of Malaysia is an important aspect in the moulding of Malaysia,” he said.
Later when asked whether there were objections to the denial of permit for the heavy metal group ‘Lamb of God’ to perform in the country, Ahmad Shabery said there had been none.
“It (the Lamb of God concert) is said to be inappropriate to be performed in Malaysia. I accept that view.
“We have guidelines, but in certain cases where controversies arise and the people are inconvenienced, it is better to forgo something than to go ahead and spark off other problems,” he said.
The ministry had on Wednesday denied a permit for the group to stage the concert in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 28. It said the performances of the group were found to infringe on the religious sensitivities and cultural values of Malaysian society.
Asked about the reportedly poor response to hoisting the Malaysian flag in Sabah, Ahmad Shabery said the matter had to be looked at from all aspects.
“Next year, we will think of a better way because this is not associated with politics. Sabah is a strong supporter of the BN (Barisan Nasional), but not hoisting the flag does not mean the people do not support the government.
“I found that even in Putrajaya, the flag was not flown in many blocks of government residential units. Some people say love for the country comes from the heart and not from flying a flag.
“We have to look into this again. Even if our love for the country comes from the heart, it is a good thing for us to fly the Malaysian flag,” he said.
Asked about certain people flying a flag other than the Malaysian flag during the Merdeka celebration in Kuala Lumpur, the minister said that was done on purpose to draw attention to themselves.
“I do not think that it was supported by the opposition political parties. Some people wanted to draw attention to themselves, to take advantage of the situation.
“However, we leave it to the police to determine whether laws were violated. Some countries take very stern action against those who insult national symbols,” he said.
-BERNAMA
