Kuala lumpur: Independence must be appreciated as a shared responsibility to ensure the country's peace, unity, and harmony continue to be preserved, said Prime Minister's wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. She emphasized that independence goes beyond merely shouting 'Merdeka' and flying the Jalur Gemilang, as it embodies a deeper meaning, symbolizing the freedom, sacrifices, and struggles of previous generations in building a sovereign nation.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Wan Azizah, who is also the Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament, made these remarks during her speech at the Semarak Merdeka Programme, attended by the Prime Minister's political secretary Datuk Azman Abidin. She urged the community to turn the independence celebration into a platform for appreciating the meaning of freedom, honoring the sacrifices of past generations, and continuing to build a united, prosperous, and progressive Bandar Tun Razak community.
She highlighted that this year's National Day theme, 'Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka', aligns with efforts to improve the people's quality of life, provide equal opportunities, and strengthen unity. Dr Wan Azizah described Bandar Tun Razak's diverse population as a dynamic and harmonious community, supported by data from the Malaysian Population and Housing Census, which reports approximately 191,000 residents comprising 60 percent Malays, 24 percent Chinese, and eight percent Indians.
Following the programme, Dr Wan Azizah visited three families at the Seri Pulau Pinang and Desa Tun Razak People's Housing Projects (PPR) to deliver contributions from the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP). One recipient, K. Moganavalli, expressed gratitude for the assistance following the sudden death of her husband, Edwin Anthony Dass, leaving her to care for their three young children. Moganavalli received a one-off Funeral Management Benefit and a monthly Survivor's Pension from PERKESO, along with the Kotak Prihatin aid.
Another recipient, Khalijah Binti Nazir, a single mother who cares for her two children, one with a hearing impairment, receives monthly Baitulmal assistance and additional financial support via the Boost eWallet and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programs.