AS the country starts celebrations that will culminate in the 61st Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day, the first independence festivities under a Pakatan Harapan government continue to give hope to the people.

Three months after the general election on May 9, which saw Barisan Nasional fall from power after 60 years, the people are happy with the change in government and are looking forward to the future.

Many are hoping for better days, and a cleaner and fairer government, as promised by Pakatan Harapan.

Penangite Khor, in his 60s, said he was happy that the government has changed, as he checked out the launch of the National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang 2018 campaign in Penang tonight.

Khor, who declined to give his full name, said he felt Malaysia could only go up from here, as the nation marks another year of independence.

He said other countries no longer looked down at Malaysia, unlike before, citing the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal that had drawn international attention.

“All you heard about when the old government was in power was corruption. Back then, you felt shame when people outside spoke about how corrupt your country’s leader was.

“This government will be better, surely. I don’t even mind the prime minister being old,” Khor said, referring to 93-year-old Dr Mahathir Mohamad back at the helm.

Abdul Razak Samsudin, 62, who works in security, shared Khor’s sentiments.

He said he was not sure what PH could do since the new government was only three months old, but he remained optimistic.

“I am happy we changed the government. I think the new people in Putrajaya can do better concerning the economy,” he said.

Abdul Razak had arrived early to check out the launch at the Espanade field. It has been a number of years since the federal government organised an outdoor event of such magnitude in George Town.

“I am alone. I am here to scout out the event, see what is going on. I will come back tomorrow with the rest of my family,” he said.

Penangite Eric Ng Lin Long, 22, meanwhile, said the PH victory has continued to give hope to Malaysians.

“For this Merdeka, I feel proud because PH has won. We hope the PH government will govern transparently.

“For Penang, it is also an honour to have Dr Mahathir picking George Town to launch the Merdeka Day celebrations.

“It is an ideal venue for PH to have a huge event like this.”

The three-day celebration at Padang Kota Lama began yesterday and ends tomorrow.  

More than 30,000 visitors were treated to various performances by local artistes and cultural dances.

The highlight of the evening was Dr Mahathir unveiling the Jalur Gemilang, which was brought to the venue by the police.

The crowd then stood up to sing the national anthem, ending the song by cheering and waving the Jalur Gemilang.

Also present was Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Among cabinet members present were Lim Guan Eng, Gobind Singh Deo, Teresa Kok, M. Kulasegaran, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Mohamaddin Ketapi, Sim Tze Tzin, Steven Sim, Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik, Dzulkefly Ahmad, Rina Harun, Mujahid Yusof Rawa and Mohamed Hanipa Maidin.

Mahathir, who is also PH chairman, then flagged off a convoy of 20 vehicles and 40 motorcycle riders who will travel the country to promote Merdeka and Malaysia Day.

The convoy, together with the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, police, National Film Corporation and others, aimed to get all Malaysians to fly the Jalur Gemilang before the celebrations on August 31.

For Penang resident M.Chitra, 35, the launch was a special event for her 70-year-old mother, T. Kaniama Mariapin.

“Since independence, this is the first time my mother is attending a Merdeka Day celebration. She is excited to see Dr Mahathir for the first time.”

Kaniama said the main reason she came to the event was to see Dr Mahathir, who she described as “a great father of the nation”.

For Penangite army officer corporal Zafran Ahmad Tarmizi, the event was a good start by PH to foster closer relations with the islanders.

“This is my first time attending a big Merdeka Day celebration like this one.

“Apart from this event, we hope PH can organise more events here to bring the community together.”

Many in the crowd also came from other states, like Fauzi Kadri, 32, from Negeri Sembilan.

He said he had attended the rehearsal last night and was excited to witness the actual launch by Dr Mahathir and listen to his speech.

“The Merdeka celebration is more or less the same each year. But maybe the prime minister will say something that will give us a sign of what more to expect,” he said earlier in the evening.

“But I think things will be great in this new Malaysia.” – August 4, 2018.