Large-scale National Day celebration 2022 provides job opportunities, extra income - K-KOMM

KUALA LUMPUR: After two years of not being held on a large scale, the National Day 2022 celebration to be held at Dataran Merdeka tomorrow is geared to bring all kinds of benefits to the people.

The Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (K-KOMM) secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek said this included providing job opportunities to the people as well as additional income to small and medium entrepreneurs.

"Some say holding a large-scale National Day celebration is a waste of money. Yes, it is true that we use government allocations to make this programme a success, but in terms of the economic cycle, it benefits many parties.

"For example, at Dataran Merdeka we have to appoint a contractor who can build a stage. The same goes for food providers, the t-shirts that need to be used at this event and the flags as well, must be ordered from a supplier who can produce them," he said when appearing as guest on RTM1's 'Selamat Pagi Malaysia' programme today.

For the last two consecutive years, the National Day celebration was held at Dataran Pahlawan Negara, Putrajaya in the new norm due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Elaborating, Mohammad said that aside from the event being held on a large scale, it would definitely open up opportunities for small and medium entrepreneurs to increase their income.

"We also want to implement it following the aspirations of Keluarga Malaysia itself, which are based on three main pillars, namely Inclusiveness, Togetherness and Gratitude.

"Inclusiveness is manifested through the various performances from various walks of life together in celebrating National Day while showing gratitude," he said.

Mohammad expects over 50,000 people to flock to Dataran Merdeka on Aug 31 to witness the National Day celebration.

"I invite all Malaysian families, especially those living near the Klang Valley and surrounding areas, to come en masse to Dataran Merdeka at 7 am.

"The event will start at 8 am with the arrival of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah in a horse-drawn carriage," he said.

-- BERNAMA