KOTA KINABALU – A subdued but highly symbolic National Day is in the planning in Sabah, with large gatherings curtailed during the month-long celebrations to curb the spread of Covid-19, said Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun today.
Masidi, who is the organising chairman of the state-level National Day committee, said only a few activities are planned and schoolchildren are exempted from the main event at Padang Merdeka on August 31.
“The National Day celebrations will start on July 31 with the raising of the flag at Padang Merdeka.
“The event also falls on the same day as Hari Pahlawan (Warriors’ Day) and both will be observed together,” he said at a press conference at Wisma Innoprise here today.
The main town parade on August 31 is being planned by Kota Kinabalu City Hall.
He said Sabah Governor Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor will also be present at the two gatherings.
There will also be a programme organised by the Youth and Sports Ministry and Information Department, and a religious programme organised by Sabah Islamic Affairs Department.
Masidi said some improvements are also being made such as to the visitors’ national day booklet to make it more worthy as a keepsake. An individual figure is also being selected as a symbol of high achievement in the state.
“As everyone knows, the booklets handed out to visitors are often thrown away. So this time, we plan to include content to make these books worth keeping,” said Masidi, adding that it would include listing 14 of the endemic wild orchids found in Sabah.
The selection of the national day figure is still in the process, he said.
Meanwhile, Masidi said the planning for Malaysia Day is being done by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
He added that a billboard planned for the national day celebrations will include references to Malaysia Day which falls on September 16. – The Vibes, July 28, 2022
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