Students will be exempted from this year’s National Day celebration to curb the spread of the virus at schools, said Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun.

“We still haven’t achieved stability in cases, which are going up and down.

“Students are exempted to reduce the risk of infections (at school), and we will also reduce the duration of the event,” he told reporters on Thursday.

The Malaysia and Sabah flags will be flown to commemorate the National Day celebration starting this coming 31st July.

Masidi said that there will be a flag handover ceremony by the Head of State, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin at Padang Merdeka on that day.

He added that the launching of the National Day, which is also known as the Merdeka Day month, will be celebrated together with the Hari Pahlawan (Warriors Day).

“Because of the pandemic, there will not be too many physical activities,” he said.

Masidi explained that the handing over of the flag will be symbolic and he hoped corporations and private individuals will donate flags and also fly the flags at their premises.

He also said that the Information Department’s convoy will also be flagged on July 31 and it shall be visiting many places in Sabah.

As for the finale of the National Day celebration which falls on August 31, Masidi said that Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) will be hosting the event which will also take place at Padang Merdeka.

“We hope to get the participation of NGOs, uniformed organisations and others,” he said.

Masidi also informed that there will be a recognition ceremony for an individual or a group from Sabah on August 31.

“We will focus on the one from Sabah, who are among our youths, and who has given pride to the name of Sabah and Malaysia. To me, the context of Merdeka is seen as our achievement so far,” he said.

Masidi also informed that the souvenir book that would be issued specially to commemorate the National Day celebration this year will feature knowledge that is unique about Sabah.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by JENNE LAJIUN

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