Kuala lumpur: Preparations for the Launch Ceremony of National Month and Kibar Jalur Gemilang 2026 in conjunction with the National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations (HKHM2026) have reached 80 per cent ahead of Sunday's event. Information Department (JAPEN) Communication Services and Community Development Division deputy director Faizal Adanan said the ceremony at Dewan Sri Perdana of the Sultan Azlan Shah Health Ministry Training Institute (ILKKM SAS) would proceed on a modest scale without compromising its impact on society or the spirit of togetherness.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Faizal Adanan mentioned that preparations have been carried out meticulously, including final practices ahead of the full rehearsal tomorrow. Although the ceremony will be held in a hall with a capacity of 3,000 people, participation from various segments of society, races, and religions will help strengthen the patriotic spirit, he told reporters after inspecting preparations.

Among the highlights on Sunday is the Merdeka Patriotic Run, expected to attract about 2,000 participants and to be flagged off by Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to officiate the launch ceremony, which will feature a patriotic choir performance by ILKKM SAS trainees who previously went viral.

The programme will also include a Jalur Gemilang flag-raising ceremony by security forces after a two-year hiatus, the launch of the HKHM2026 theme song by a local singer, and exhibitions by participating agencies. Faizal said that although the event is closed to the public, Malaysians are encouraged to follow the ceremony through live broadcasts on social media platforms.

The ceremony will be broadcast live at 10 am on Sunday via the social media channels of Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), the Communications Ministry, and JAPEN, as well as through Merdeka360 Facebook Live. Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil had previously announced that the theme for HKHM2026 is Malaysia MADANI: Kesejahteraan Dinikmati, while the Malaysia MADANI logo will remain the official logo of the celebrations until next year. He also said the 2026 National Day celebration will be held at Dataran Putrajaya on Aug 31 on a modest but lively scale.