SABAH has been chosen to host the Malaysia Day 2021 celebration on Sept 16, Deputy Chief Minister Bung Moktar Radin said today. 

Bung, who is also the state-level Malaysia Day organising committee co-chairman, said the celebration will be held on a moderate scale behind closed doors at the Sabah International Convention Centre in Kota Kinabalu with strict compliance with the standard operating procedure (SOP). 

He said the matter was discussed at the Malaysia Day main committee meeting held virtually and co-chaired by Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah yesterday. 

“We are grateful and appreciate the decision of the federal government. It will be held in strict compliance with SOP, including limiting the attendance to around 500 people, depending on the Covid-19 situation then,” he said in a statement today.

Bung said a number of committee meetings were held previously with the relevant departments and agencies to ensure the smooth running of the event.

In line with this year’s celebration theme, Malaysia Prihatin, Bung said there will be a special performance by Sabah Cultural Board artistes to urge all Malaysians, regardless of race and religion, to help contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We hope that through the Malaysia Day celebration, we will not only lift the spirit of patriotism among the people, especially among the younger generation in the formation of a united and harmonious nation, but also for all Malaysians to come together in solidarity to fight the pandemic,” he added. – Bernama, July 7, 2021.