Malaysians celebrate Merdeka on Mt Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU: The people of Sabah have their own unique ways of making their Merdeka Day celebrations special.

At about 6am today, a group of volunteers from various backgrounds reached the summit of Mount Kinabalu.

They were part of the “Klimb Kinabalu Fight Against Cancer” event, which is organised by the National Cancer Council Malaysia (MAKNA) to raise funds for cancer patients.

One of the participants, Dr Timothy Cheng Tsin Jien, 29, said they celebrated Merdeka by flying the Jalur Gemilang at the mountain’s peak, 4,095 metres above sea level.

“It was an amazing feeling to be there on Merdeka day.

“Our international participants (from China, Indonesia and Thailand) were also wishing us too,” said the medical doctor, who has reached the peak for the third time.

Meanwhile, at Tunku Abdul Rahman Park here, diving instructor Emmanuele Girelli, 38, said he celebrated Merdeka with five patriotic Malaysians.

“The Malaysian divers managed to ‘fly’ Jalur gemilang while underwater.

“It is a good way to promote the country because such a good picture will usually be posted in social media,” said the Italian.

At the city centre, a family of five from Putatan were seen donning custom-made Jalur Gemilang costumes during the state-level Merdeka day celebration here today.

Mariam Tasleem, 36, said this was the second time she and her family attended the parade in the costumes.

“This is one of the ways my husband, who is a policeman, and I instill the spirit patriotism in our children.

“They are also excited to wear these costumes and come here to see the parade,” she said, adding they spent few hundred ringgit to make the costumes.

Source: New Straits Times