Over the past few years, Malaysia Day has gradually become more significant.
National Day is still celebrated with much pomp and grandeur, but younger Malaysians are also keen to embrace Malaysia Day and be more inclusive
There is now growing awareness and curiosity about Sabah and Sarawak as travels open up and social media allows for more interaction.
In this Malaysia Day pullout we have gathered individuals and initiatives that contribute to nation building and are forging a national identity rooted in mutual respect and support.
The narrative on people in Malaysia has been centred mostly on the three major races – Malay, Chinese, Indian. But minority groups are also actively staking their place in the very public online space, such as a group of young Orang Asli women who are using short films and social media to tell their stories and broadcast them on social media platforms
In Sabah, volunteers successfully curated and launched Wikipedia Kadazandusun with over 900 articles, part of efforts to preserve local dialects
And of course being multilingual is one of the hallmarks of being Malaysian, so come learn some basic phrases in various Malaysian languages and dialects
But surely, unity is not just about bridging divides but also on uplifting each other.
In Kuching, an aid initiative that started during the pandemic was strongly supported , and has now solidified into a community movement that aims to advocate and transform the lives of the downtrodden
Meanwhile, a social enterprise, Tanoti Crafts, offers an economic lifeline for rural artisans, and also helps to preserve heritage crafts.
In helping to provide the best healthcare services to the most needy in Sarawak, Dr Tan Poh Tin wrote the Sarawak Protocol, a manual for young doctors to use in paediatrics wards.
This handbook is the standard paediatrics reference for all house officers and medical officers in the country, and is testament to a doctor’s commitment to meeting pressing healthcare needs
As Malaysia celebrates its 61st Malaysia Day, it is important to recognise and honour the diverse contributions that bring the nation together. These efforts are testament to Malaysia’s evolving identity.
