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PUTRAJAYA WINS. LIM GUAN ENG BACKS DOWN.
“In the spirit of Merdeka and to protect the office of the Yang Di Pertua Pulau Pinang as head of state, we reverse the decision to use the theme ‘Clean, efficient, trustworthy’ with a heavy heart.”
PUTRAJAYA REMINDS US HOW TO WIN A BATTLE BUT LOSE THE WAR. Will the Rakyat of Penang except die-hard UMNO and Gerakan ever forgive the BN-controlled Putrajaya?
Malaysian Insider
Penang drops ‘bersih’ theme for state Merdeka parade, follows Putrajaya
The Penang government has dropped its theme for Merdeka Day celebrations and will use Putrajaya’s “Sehati sejiwa” (One heart, one soul), Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said today after a verbal spat between the federal government and the DAP-led state over its original choice which included the word “bersih”.
Lim in a statement said the decision to follow the national theme came after the Armed Forces announced it would not participate in the state-level parade because of Penang’s theme “Bersih, cekap dan amanah” (Clean, efficient, trustworthy).
Lim said the Armed Forces’ participation was significant as a sign of respect and tradition given to the Yang Di Pertua of Penang in celebrating Merdeka Day, which falls on August 31.
“The move by the Armed Forces to give the celebrations a miss has caused the state government to rethink its decision to use a different theme.
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AT THE MERDEKA CELEBRATIONS, WE SING THE NEGARA-KU.
Look at the lyrics.
| Rumi [2] | Jawi | Literal English Translation |
|---|---|---|
|
Negaraku Rahmat bahagia Rahmat bahagia |
نڬاراكو رحمة بهاڬيا رحمة بهاڬيا |
My country May God bestow May God bestow |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negaraku
I don’t see any mention of the Prime Minister and Putrajaya. There is mention of our King, and rightfully so.
WE OWE ALLEGIANCE TO KING AND COUNTRY. Merdeka is a celebration of the Rakyat’s unity and progress/success (Rakyat hidup bersatu dan maju). It is not a celebration of BN or PR.
Putrajaya and Penang should remember that, instead of fighting over themes and politics.
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Star
Monday August 24, 2015 MYT 12:19:48 PM
IGP: Police staying out of Penang’s Merdeka Day celebrations
KUALA LUMPUR: The police has decided not to participate in Penang’s state-level Merdeka Day celebration activities.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said on Monday that the decision was made as its theme of ‘Bersih, Cekap dan Amanah‘ (Clean, Efficient and Trustworthy) chosen by the Penang government for the state was not in line with the spirit of the 2015 Merdeka Day celebrations.
…
On Sunday, the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) decided not to participate in any Penang state-level Merdeka Day celebration activities.
http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/08/24/IGP-Penang-Merdeka/
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LIM GUAN ENG: IT WAS NEVER A PROBLEM BEFORE
Malaysian Insider
Penang has had different Merdeka themes since 2010, why ban now, asks CM
“This is politically motivated to sabotage the Penang state government’s Merdeka celebrations,” he said in a statement today.
Lim said it was clear the ministry was trying to link the word ‘Bersih’ with the electoral reform group’s rally planned for August 29-30.
“This is an immature act of petty politics merely because the word ‘Bersih’ is used. Is ‘Bersih’ now a dirty, vulgar and obscene word that must also be declared illegal?” he said.
…
檳州首長林冠英指出，檳州政府自2010年以來就自選國慶主題，從來不構成問題，如今……
http://www.chinapress.com.my/node/648761
Malay Mail Online
You’re a bad example to kids, Umno man tells Education Ministry in Merdeka slogan row
PETALING JAYA, Aug 22 — A slogan that resulted in students being barred from the Merdeka Day celebrations in Penang has triggered an outcry over children being dragged into politics.
Global Movement of Moderates’ chief executive officer, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, said students and teachers were being unfairly dragged into the political tussle between the state and federal governments.
“We are a federation. Was there a discussion between the federal and state governments on a standardised theme?” he asked.
“It is totally unacceptable. We should be educating our students on the importance and meaning of Merdeka … that every citizen is equal before the law.
“This directive is setting a bad example for our students. It is shallow, divisive and partisan.”
Saifuddin said the Education Ministry was being over-sensitive about the word ‘Bersih’.
…
1Malaysia Foundation trustee Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said it was a tradition for students and teachers to take part in the annual Merdeka celebrations and this should not be disrupted.
“Students always take part in Merdeka celebrations. Politics should not be brought in to sour a happy occasion,” he said.
“It’s one of the best opportunities for Malaysians of all races and religions to come together and share their feelings of pride and patriotism for their country.”
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WHAT PRICE LOYALTY TO HIS PAY-MASTER?
This is, Osman Hussain, the Penang State Education Director
This is his circular
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Malaysiakini
9:00PM Aug 21, 2015
Merdeka Day directive to Penang schools stays
The directive against Penang schools participating in the 58th Merdeka Day celebrations organised by the state government issued yesterday, stays until further notice.
Education Minister Mahdzhir Khalid said it was not appropriate for the state government to have a different Merdeka Day theme than that decided by the federal government for the country.
“Our theme for this year is ‘Sehati Sejiwa’ (One heart, one soul); we should celebrate Merdeka Day in unity, regardless of our political background. It has nothing to do with politics,” he told reporters.
He said this after opening the Koperasi Felda Lubuk Merbau Kedah Bhd annual general meeting in Padang Terap today.
Mahdzir urged Penang to accept the theme, as had other states including Kelantan and Selangor.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/309456
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Malaysian Insider
Penang says ‘Bersih’ in Merdeka theme nothing to do with rally
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11:30AM Aug 21, 2015
Schools told to ignore Penang Merdeka festivity
Penang state education director Osman Hussain has directed all schools in the state not to attend this year’s Merdeka celebration organised by the DAP-led government.
The letter was issued to all schools yesterday.
Osman said all school heads, teachers and students are to wait for further instructions from him on the matter as he is consulting the Education Ministry.
“I sent out the letter because Penang has its own theme,which contradicts with the federal theme,” Osman told Malaysiakini when contacted.
“The problem is the word ‘Bersih’. We have to wait for the greenlight from the ministry before we can attend,” he added.
The Penang government’s theme for the Merdeka celebration this year is ‘Bersih’ (Clean) instead of the federal government’s ‘Malaysia, Sehati Sejiwa’ (One Heart, One Soul).
Osman also denied that he was ordering the schools to totally reject the state-organised celebration.
‘The word Bersih is sensitive’
“It is not that I do not allow them to go for it. But we are under the Education Ministry at the federal level and this state belongs to the opposition,” he said.
“The word ‘Bersih’ is sensitive, so we have to await the greenlight from the ministry before we can attend. If the ministry says okay, we will attend,” Osman added.
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/309373
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