KOTA KINABALU, Aug 24 — Malaysians in Sabah have been urged to embrace Merdeka Day with their whole heart and soul, in harmony with this year’s theme, ‘Sehati Sejiwa’.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin also said the people should set aside their differences in political ideology, culture and religion to celebrate the historic occasion.
“Why must we fight all the time? Even though we have our differences, we must come together. There is one and only one Merdeka, which we must safeguard every moment,” he told reporters today.
He earlier launched the Putatan-level ‘Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang’ programme here.
Yahya condemned Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng’s alleged action to politicise Merdeka Day by choosing to use a different theme, ‘Bersih’ instead of ‘Sehati Sejiwa’ for the celebration.
He noted that the Penang government then changed the theme to ‘Bersih, Cekap dan Amanah’ after the Education Department issued a circular to schools against participating in the state-organised Merdeka parade.
Meanwhile in his speech, Yahya said he supported the government’s proposal to adopt the international standard in regulating the internet.
He said the proposal broached by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak was crucial in combating libel and slander hurled at the government and its leaders through the social media.
He stressed that although Merdeka meant “freedom to move about and speak out”, it must be remembered that such liberties had their limits. — Bernama
