'Jalur Gemilang' campaign unfurls tinged with criticism

Amid much fireworks and fanfare, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak kicked off a two-month long ‘fly the Jalur Gemilang' campaign at Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, also better known as ‘Little India'.

Simultaneously, his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin officiated a similar function at the Malay reserve village of Kampung Baru, while Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai launched the campaign at Petaling Street, also known as Chinatown.

The campaign is part of the run-up to the upcoming National Day and Malaysia day celebrations, themed ‘janji ditepati' (promises delivered).

"We have been independent for 55 years. There are countries that have been independent for longer than we have but still not as advanced.

"We progress and succeed because in the past 55 years, the government has delivered its promises to the rakyat," Najib told the enthusiastic, multi-ethnic crowd of about 3,000 who gathered there despite the drizzle.

Among the promises he said the government had delivered were unity, peace, and transformation from an agrarian economy to a industrial nation, and now aspiring to be a high-income nation.

However, the theme was not without his critics. DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang has accused the government of mixing partisan politics into the National Day celebrations.

In his speech, Najib also said that he believes if the government treats all races fairly, then 1Malaysia would not merely be a slogan.

"Instead, its very essence would be absorbed into our hearts and souls because we have the protection of the government," he said.

Najib's 15-minute speech ended with members of the 21st Commando Regiment rappelling down a nearby building or sliding down a 'flying fox' while carrying the national flag as fireworks filled the sky.

Also part of the night's entertainment was several rounds of singing and dance performances.