BUTTERWORTH, Sept 15 — Butterworth, Penang, will be in the national spotlight tomorrow as Malaysia Day 2025 is celebrated in full colour and patriotic spirit at the PICCA@Arena Butterworth Convention Centre.
With the theme “Malaysia Madani: Rakyat Disantuni,” the historic event is set to bring together thousands from across the country, especially the northern region, to celebrate cultural diversity and the spirit of unity that underpins the nation’s strength.
Although the main performances are set to begin at 8.30 pm, celebrations will start as early as 9 am with a range of activities, including interactive booths by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) featuring a DJ talent showcase and RTM Klik, a Safe Internet Campaign by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and a booth by the Penang Public Library Corporation.
The public can also join traditional food demonstrations and explore the traditional costume exhibition to learn about the nation’s heritage.
Visitors can tour the Thematic Exhibition Zones: Zone A, showcasing the pre-independence era with artefacts, replicas, and videos of daily life; Zone B, highlighting the independence period with national figures, Merdeka proclamations, and newspaper clippings; and Zone C, covering the post-independence era to the present with photos of national development and newspapers from the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
The show will open with a new performance titled Rentak Tradisi Pulau Mutiara, showcasing Penang’s cultural diversity through a fusion of three iconic traditional art forms, namely Joget Joghee, Penang Chinese Opera, and Penang Boria.
The event will also include the signing of the Malaysia Day 2025 Commemorative Book by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas on behalf of Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, and Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya on behalf of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The national programme will also feature a special 30-minute performance blending music and dance, headlined by the nation’s Queen of Rock, Ella, alongside Suki Low, Roshini Balachandran, and Sabah and Sarawak artistes Dabra Sia and Rezza Shah.
All the performances will be backed by the Malaysian Traditional Orchestra from Istana Budaya, which brings together instruments from different ethnic traditions as a symbol of national unity.
Penang Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, and federal Cabinet members will also attend the event. — Bernama
