It looks like the annual Merdeka celebration for 2018 will not be held in Dataran Merdeka as per usual!
It will officially be the Merdeka month (August) soon and this time the celebration becomes even more significant because of the historical triumph of Pakatan Harapan during the 14th General Election. Thus, following the shift of governance, this year (2018) we will not be celebrating our national day in Dataran Merdeka but instead, the new government has decided to change the annual celebration’s venue to Putrajaya, reported NST.
According to Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo, the Malaysian administrative capital has been chosen because the government wants to pay homage to the unexpected GE14 win by changing the venue. He said that by choosing Putrajaya, it symbolises “the administration of the new government under Pakatan Harapan”.
Gobind Singh also added that venue was actually chosen by our beloved prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Besides that, he also shared 2018’s theme for Merdeka day which will be “Sayangi Malaysiaku (Love My Malaysia)”. Sounds good!
He was quoted as saying,
“This year’s theme will be ‘Sayangi Malaysiaku (Love My Malaysia)’. The theme is chosen to celebrate and boost the people’s love towards this country.”
“All citizens should display their love towards Malaysia by flying the Jalur Gemilang, starting from today (27 July 2018).”
During the revelation of the 2018 Merdeka Day logo and theme song, he also said that the launching of the “2018 National Month” and “Fly the Jalur Gemilang” campaigns will happen at Padang Kota Lama, Penang from 3 – 5 August 2018. Woohoo, can’t wait!
This year’s Merdeka celebration will undoubtedly be a momentous one, especially following a massive change of government since 9 May 2018. It’s going to be a festival!
What do you guys think of the shift of venue for this year’s (2018) Merdeka celebration? Will you be attending?
Also read: Designed by an Architect, and 8 Things You Probably Never Knew About Our Jalur Gemilang