MLYS, JBHJC host Merdeka celebration through laughter

Forty-nine participants from 12 countries joined an online Merdeka celebration organised by the Malaysia Laughter Yoga Society (MLYS) and Johor Bahru Happy and Joyous Club (JBHJC), bringing an international dimension to the groups’ National Day programme.

Held via Zoom on Aug 30, the 45-minute session featured laughter exercises, music and movement under the theme “Malaysia MADANI: Kesejahteraan Dinikmati.”

Presenters joined from Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Spain, Hong Kong, Germany, Cyprus, India and Vietnam, while participants from Austria, Japan and the United States brought the total country representation to 12.

MLYS president Koh Mui Cheng said the programme reflected Malaysia’s multicultural identity while highlighting the broader meaning of wellbeing.

“True prosperity means having good health, happiness, peace, harmony, love and a sense of belonging — where everyone, regardless of age, race, religion or background, has the opportunity to enjoy a better quality of life,” she said.

Koh also said laughter could help overcome differences between people.

“Laughter is a universal language. We don’t need to speak the same language to laugh together. When we laugh, barriers come down, hearts open, and we feel connected,” she said.

Virtual celebration highlights laughter as cross-border connector

The programme was structured as a virtual journey featuring presenters from different countries.

Aden Firdaus Jam’an from Singapore, a certified therapeutic sound practitioner, led an opening icebreaker and warm-up, followed by Malaysian trainer and Laughter Yoga Teacher Taramaraju.

Participants then joined sessions led by Ai De Abrew from Australia, Jhon Ospina from Spain and Tonkabean from Hong Kong. JBHJC member Khedlly Koh added a Malaysian element with “Sayangi Malaysiaku”.

The international segment continued with Dr Aliki Sakellariou from Germany, Antigoni Louca from Cyprus, Ali Asgar from India and Pham Quoc Vinh from Vietnam, before Laughter Yoga Master Trainer Fiona Lee concluded the international presentations.

Guest of Honour YB Andrew Chen Kah Eng, State Assemblyman for Stulang, also joined briefly at about 2.35pm while travelling through immigration. He wished participants Selamat Hari Merdeka and took part in a Teh Tarik Laughter exercise before leaving.

Organising chair Sarjit Kaur said the programme demonstrated how laughter could connect people despite differences in nationality and language.

“We have seen that laughter has no borders, no language and no nationality. Laughter brings us together as one big family,” she said.

The celebration ended with a “Rasa Sayang” medley, giving participants a shared cultural element to close the session.

While the programme was not a national-level official celebration, its organisers used Merdeka as an opportunity to bring Malaysian and international participants together virtually.

The event showed how community organisations can use online platforms to create cross-border social and cultural exchanges while marking an important occasion on Malaysia’s national calendar.