PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is set to deliver the 2024 National Day Perdana Address today in conjunction with the 67th National Day celebration, nearly two years since he began leading the unity government.

The event, scheduled at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), is expected to see 7,350 attendees from various sectors, including civil servants, educators from schools and higher education institutions, student representative councils, police retirees, and non-governmental organisations.

Anwar’s address will be available through live broadcasts on television and social media for those unable to attend the event, reported Bernama.

The hour-long event organised by the National Unity Ministry will also feature a Bicara Eksklusif segment titled “Kedaulatan Negara Tanggungjawab Bersama – Mengimbau Insiden Lahad Datu” (Revisiting the Lahad Datu Incursion Incident) followed by various performances, culminating in the Prime Minister’s address.

The Bicara Eksklusif segment will feature several panellists, including Datuk Mohd Rodzi Saad, former director-general of the National Security Council, as well as members and officers of the Royal Malaysia Police who were involved in the 2013 Lahad Datu incident.

There will also be a special video screening on independence presented by the National Archives of Malaysia, alongside a cultural performance featuring participants from various ethnic groups playing a range of traditional musical instruments such as the kompang, gendang, tawak, and rebana, reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage.

In addition, the Prime Minister will distribute the Jalur Gemilang to students from kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, higher education institutions and youth groups, marking the opening of the event.

Held a day before National Day, the Perdana Address serves as a platform to ignite the spirit of patriotism and deepen the appreciation of independence among Malaysians, especially the younger generation.

This aligns with the theme of this year’s celebration, Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka, which will take place at Dataran Putrajaya, which previously hosted the event in 2003, 2005, 2018, 2019 and 2023.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/30/pm-to-deliver-perdana-address-as-prelude-to-national-day