KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31- The people have been urged to not politicise the Merdeka (Independence) Day celebration because it is among measures to instil spirit of patriotism in the society, Communication and Multimedia Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Kamaruddin Siaraf (photo) said.
He said the celebration was held every year to appreciate the deeds and sacrifices of security members who fought for the country’s independence and had no connection with the political ideology of any parties.
“Efforts to defend the country’s sovereignty is above politics and we, as the citizens, should learn from the struggle made by them to stay united and preserve the peace that we have enjoyed for the past 56 years,” he said when interviewed on a talk show, “Helo Malaysia”, produced by BERNAMA TV on Astro Friday night.
Kamaruddin said independence served as a passport for the people of the nation to administer their own country and that only with peace could a country progress.
Hence, the need for the people to unite and defend the country’s sovereignty, he added.
Kamaruddin encouraged the people, especially the young generation, to express their love for the country through Facebook and Twitter by sharing the stories and experiences, as well as discuss the meaning of independence with their cyber friends.
On this year’s celebration, he said, this year’s Merdeka parade would highlight the meaning of sovereignty and how the people defended it which would be in tandem with the theme “My Sovereign Malaysia, My Native Land”.
– BERNAMA
