As of this year, private sector will not be allowed to organise any activity on the eve of Merdeka.
There will be no private sector-initiated programmes and activities on the eve of the 50th Merdeka celebration as “all eyes, ears, spirit and soul” should be on a major event that will be organised by the Government.
Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said since this year’s celebration was important and significant, the public should attend events organised by the Government so they could feel “the spirit of Merdeka in every sense of the word”.
As I don’t want to defy the government’s order, I will not be flying the flag for this year too.
I am afraid that should I fly the flag, everyone will look at mine and forget to notice that Government offices too are flying the flag.
Call me patriotic.
So… can I tell my boss not to organize any work for me on eve of Merdeka?
Adino I am afraid, your work has nothing much to do with Patriotism
Actually, the gov should get private sector to organizes Merdeka celebrations too, let the people celebrate freely. Come on.. country is not goverment, is the people.
hanneng They always forget. They are to serve the rakyat, not rakyat serving them
this government has becoming more and more controlling
first, they controlled the freedom of speech, including media and etc
now they control the freedom of celebrate freely
I am sure next they will change the date of Hari Raya or Chinese New Year or Deepavali to whatever dates they think are appropriate
I will not celebrate the 50th Merdeka, I think it is a shame, 50 years of independence and still not improving.
I went to the Malaysian Week at Covent Garden, London in June. They were there to promote Malaysia. There were food stalls, culture stalls and etc (most of them are Malay culture really). Performance was great. However, one thing spoilt the rest, they were selling food (and souvenir) at ridiculous price, £7 for some noddle, 2 king prawns, 2 small pieces of chicken and beef. WFT…. I bought it anyway, simply to introduce my country to my friends, and it burn my pocket! I think they are there to make money rather than promoting the Visit Malaysia thingy cause I don’t see why would people paying that sort of money to buy food and then STAND AND EAT!
Wonder when we will get a decent leader? (I don’t even hope to get a GOOD one)
What a dumb statement made by the ministry. They don’t know how much the event companies, AV rental companies are losing money over planned events that have to be scrapped off. That is seeding patriotism? I say that is seeding resentment against the incompetent goverment.
yenjai,
I don’t understand. I thought the more activity, the merrier it is? Later next year when the government wants more activity for Merdeka Celebration, I doubt the private sector will help.
kok hon Since when the government care about resentment?
kok That is the stupid mentality of the government. They are so scared of private sector overshadowing them
Eric When they are weak, they need to control more, as they are afraid for their weakness to be explosed
As for the food … that is call extortion!