Mersing: Mersing is doing things differently this year with the Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang (KMJG) being taken across the waters, highlighting its identity as a maritime district. Mersing district officer Jamil Hasni Abdullah said the journey was usually held in a convoy of vehicles travelling along roads, but a different approach was taken this time, with more than 20 boats sailing from the Batu Jetty of the Area Fishermen's Association (PNK) here to Mersing Jetty.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the sea had long served as a route connecting the community, a source of livelihood, a driver of the tourism sector and a defining element of life for residents in the district. 'Therefore, today's programme is not merely about moving the convoy from land to water, but about giving a new interpretation to the spirit of independence through Mersing's own uniqueness and identity,' he said.

He said this in his speech at the launch of district-level National Month, Fly Jalur Gemilang and the flag-off for the KMJG convoy at Batu PNK Jetty here today. Jamil Hasni said the boat procession also demonstrated the unity among the fishing community, tourism boat operators, security forces, government departments and the local community.

'The Jalur Gemilang is not only flown at buildings, premises and on vehicles, but is also taken to the waters that are the lifeblood of the community in this district. This is the spirit of 'Mersing Berlayar' that sails across the waves. 'Although we come from different fields and backgrounds, we continue to sail under one flag and towards the same aspirations,' he said.

At the same time, he said the programme also supported the four pillars of 'Mersing Sustainable Tourism', which were directly related to its organisation, namely tourism, safety, infrastructure, facilities and cleanliness.