Kembara Merdeka convoy reaches Penang

The “Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang 2024” (KMJG) convoy arrived at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sungai Acheh on 6 August, marking its final stop in Penang.

The convoy was welcomed by over 900 students and teachers in traditional attire, waving the Jalur Gemilang, Malaysia’s national flag.

Kembara Merdeka celebrating unity and patriotism

Jabatan Penerangan Pulau Pinang director Hasmiza Hussin highlighted the significance of this year’s Penang edition, which focused on the Seberang Perai Utara district on 5 August, and Seberang Perai Tengah and Seberang Perai Selatan on 6 August.

“We distributed approximately 1,000 flags to Penang residents as part of the Merdeka Month activities,” she said.

In total, 6,500 Jalur Gemilang flags were distributed over the three days of KMJG 2024 in Penang.

The convoy’s journey included stops at Sekolah Kebangsaan Mohd Shah, Pengkalan Udara Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Bertam, Pasar Awam Penanti, Pasar Awam Bukit Mertajam, and the Seberang Perai Tengah District Mosque.

The handover of the Jalur Gemilang to Perak took place at SMK Teluk Panglima Bukit Gantang in Parit Buntar.

Extensive participation and national pride

The KMJG convoy comprised 22 vehicles from various state government departments and agencies, along with 3 Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) motorcycles and 18 Suzuki V-Strom motorcycles.

The journey began at the Pinang Tunggal Bridge after receiving the Jalur Gemilang from the Kedah Convoy Team.

Participants included representatives from the Malaysian Information Department, Penang Development Corporation, Malaysian Broadcasting Department, National Film Development Corporation Malaysia, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, Telekom Malaysia, Pos Malaysia, Penang City Council, Seberang Perai City Council, Malaysian Armed Forces, Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), Seberang Jaya Hospital, RELA, BELIA 4B, and the Royal Malaysia Police.

Hasmiza explained the historical context of KMJG, first launched in 2002 and reactivated for national events in 2016 after a hiatus from 2009.

The convoy was suspended from 2020 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s KMJG follows the “Delivery of the Jalur Gemilang” concept, where the flag is carried across the country and handed over at each state border.

Exco for Trade, Entrepreneurship, and Rural Development Dato’ Haji Rashidi Zinol, who officiated the ceremony at SMK Sungai Acheh, emphasised the importance of unity in building a strong and successful nation.

“I urge everyone to return to the Principles of Rukun Negara, as it embodies the foundations of identity, unity, prosperity, mutual respect, and national success,” he said.

He noted that the KMJG2024 convoy was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on 21 July 2024 in Cyberjaya.

“The convoy will continue its journey across Malaysia until its conclusion on 21 August 2024 in Sabah,” he added.

Rashidi praised the Malaysian Information Department for fostering national pride through the Jalur Gemilang campaign, aligning with the National Day and Malaysia Day themes of ‘Malaysia Madani, Jiwa Merdeka.’

Hasmiza urged Penang residents to decorate their premises with the Jalur Gemilang to show their patriotic spirit.

“This programme aims to ignite patriotic sentiment and national pride,” she said.

She encouraged Malaysians to practice good values, cooperate, embrace tolerance, support government initiatives, and spread accurate and truthful information to show their love for the country.

She also emphasised the importance of responsible social media use and accurate information dissemination.

“We should use social media positively to celebrate National Month and avoid spreading false or misleading news,” she added.

The Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang 2024 convoy’s journey through Penang symbolises the unity and patriotic spirit of Malaysians.