THE CONCEPT OF 1MALAYSIA

Come join in the 1Malaysia Lantern Festival

THE Lantern Festival 2009 will be a celebration for all Malaysians, regardless of race and religion. Created with the 1Malaysia concept in mind, it will take place on Saturday. The event, organised by the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Council with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Central Market Sdn Bhd and some non-government organisations (NGOs), will be held at the Central Market from 7pm to 11pm. Many family-orientated activities are being lined up for the festival, including Chinese acrobatics and orchestra performances. Lion and dragon dances will also be held to spice up the evening. Apart from Chinese cultural shows, the event will feature Indian and Malay performances, too. There will also be interesting contests, such as the Lantern Riddles and Chinese art demonstration competition relating to paper-cutting, calligraphy and Chinese art. However, the highlight of the festival will be a lantern procession in the area. The procession will begin at the Central Market, proceeding to Jalan Tun Tan Cheong Lock and Jalan Sultan before making a turn to Jalan Hang Lekir and Jalan Petaling to return to the Central Market. The event, which will be launched by Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, will also feature a three-metre 1Malaysia-themed lantern and a mooncake. Event organiser Datuk Yew Teong Look said a 20,000-strong crowd, comprising both locals and foreigners, was expected for the event. He said the committee would work with the traffic police on traffic arrangements for the procession. He also advised visitors to the event to use public transport. He suggested that those who intended to drive consider parking at Bangunan Daya Bumi or Dataran Merdeka. It may be a walk, but it will be helpful in easing congestion, he said at a press conference held at the Central Market yesterday. Meanwhile, Central Market managing director Bernard Bong said the event was targeted at the younger generation as they had a tendency to forget the significance of such traditional celebrations. Some young families dont even celebrate the Lantern Festival because they are not sure of what it means. Events such as the Lantern Festival can re-ignite the interest in many to carry on with the cultural practice, he said. Also present at the press conference were Federal Territories Wanita MCA chief Chin Kim Moi, Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association president Chay Ng and Kuala Lumpur Hawkers Association representative Chan Kwok Chin.

Yasmin is the icon of 1Malaysia

WITHIN 100 days of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak becoming Prime Minister, we have seen notable changes. 1Malaysia has been introduced to Malaysians, to unite the various races and religions, to forge unity and form a strong bond among us. Every day we see Malaysians of all races gathering at their favourite mamak stall to have their daily dose of roti canai and teh tarik after long hours at the office. Back in the old days, we never discriminated against anyone on account of skin colour or racial background; we played and studied together and enjoyed together as one multi-racial group. All of these good values can be found in the work of the late director Yasmin Ahmad. She has always pictured us as 1Malaysia and has showed us the true meaning of 1Malaysia a long time ago, through her work from Rabun to Talentime. She started the whole 1Malaysia spirit even before it became a thrust policy of the new administration. Why the change in perception and interest in her works after 1Malaysia has been introduced? Is it because of the new thrust policy from the new administration is on the same track as her ideologies or works, or are people just starting to realise the real meaning of 1Malaysia? I remember her first feature film released to the public, Sepet. It was one of the most controversial movies in the Malaysian film industry. She took a different tack, challenging her audiences to disregard the differences in race between her characters. The issue drew strong reaction from the public and media. After her death, a private television station aired all of her films throughout the week. Now we see things differently. It is already 52 years of independence for Malaysia. Society has started to handle issues in a positive manner. It shows how her works have changed peoples perceptions. I hope we will appreciate her effort to promote unity among the races in Malaysia. Yasmin Ahmad is the real icon of 1Malaysia.

REFERENCES

Jayagandi Jayaraj, Thursday September 24, 2009, THE STAR

Internet; ## http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/9/24/central/4769487&sec=central

Razaleigh Zain, Thursday September 24, 2009, THE STAR Internet; ## http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/9/24/focus/4769583&sec=focus