TAIPING, Aug 31 — More than 1,000 people from various ethnic communities gathered at Medan Selera Kamunting on Sunday (Aug 30) for the Merdeka Eve programme organised by the Taiping Member of Parliament’s Service Centre in conjunction with Malaysia’s 69th National Day celebrations.

The programme featured a colourful showcase of Malaysia’s rich cultural diversity, including silat performances, 24 Festive Drums and traditional Indian music.

In his speech, Taiping MP and Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said Malaysia’s diversity was a strength that should be harnessed to drive the country forward.

He stressed that every community had an important role to play in nation-building, as all Malaysians shared a collective responsibility to contribute to the country’s progress.

“This is the essence of the MADANI Government — a government founded on the principles of justice and well-being for all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion,” he said.

One of the highlights of the evening was the crowd’s spirited rendition of Kita Anak Malaysia and Jalur Gemilang, creating a strong sense of patriotism among residents from different communities.

Wong also highlighted Malaysia’s strong economic performance, noting that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) recorded 6.0 per cent growth in the second quarter of 2026.

He said the performance demonstrated that Malaysia was on the right track in its efforts to strengthen the national economy under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

At the same time, Wong said the MADANI Government continued to prioritise measures aimed at easing the financial burden faced by the people, including the allocation of RM15 billion through the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme over two consecutive years.

“The MADANI Government will continue to do its best for the people because true independence only has meaning when every citizen is able to enjoy the benefits of the country’s development,” he said.

Wong said the spirit of unity demonstrated during the Merdeka Eve celebration in Taiping reflected the shared responsibility of Malaysians in building a prosperous and inclusive nation.

“Taiping’s prosperity is a shared responsibility,” he said. give deifferent headline with merdeka tone