Soka Gakkai Malaysia Participates in National Day Celebrations
On August 31, some 1,000 Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) youth members participated in Malaysia’s 55th National Day celebrations at the National Stadium, part of the Bukit Jalil National Sports Complex in Kuala Lumpur. The theme of this year's celebrations was “A Promise Fulfilled.” SGM's performance included gymnastics, formations such as human pyramids and human towers and a flag display. The youth, the majority of whom were students and first-time performers, had been rehearsing for the event for about two months and were among 8,500 other performers.
An audience of 100,000 viewed the celebrations, which were attended by Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Razak, and the day's events were also broadcast live. Minister of Information, Communication and Culture and Chairman of the Steering Committee for the National Day celebrations Dato' Seri Utama Dr. Rais bin Yatim said that SGM performers showed harmony and commitment.
On the morning of August 31, SGM members also participated in a separate National Day Parade at Merdeka Square. The parade was attended by head of state His Majesty the Yang Dipertuan Agong, DYMM Tuanku Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah and Her Majesty the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Haminah Hamidun.
One of SGM's performers commented that through participation in the National Day celebrations, she truly learnt what it means to be committed and united. “The friendships that I have made here will be the golden memories for a lifetime," she said.
SGM members in the states of Penang, Pahang, Johor, Melaka and Perak also took part in local National Day celebrations.
[Adapted from a report from Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM); photos courtesy of SGM]