VESPA owners in Penang are excited about the Merdeka Day celebrations.
They are planning to participate in the state-level celebrations which will be held at Padang Kota Lama here tomorrow.
The enthusiastic members of Pakatan Vespa Utara (PVU) have started decorating their Italian-made scooters with the Jalur Gemilang.
PVU president Mohammad Syukur Rohani said the group has never missed taking part in the state-level Merdeka celebrations or joining a national-level convoy to mark the special occasion since the organisation was formed in 2010.
“Many of us have started decorating our Vespas for the event.
“We use the Jalur Gemilang of various sizes on our scooters. This is our way of showing we love Malaysia,” he said when met at the group’s mini-exhibition of Vespa scooters in Padang Kota Lama here recently.
Various models of the vintage scooters including Vespa Super, Sprint, Sprint Veloce, P150S and P150X were on display.
All of the bikes were decorated with Jalur Gemilang and sported striking colours.
Syukur said some members had suggested that the 3,200-odd members of PVU in all states in the northern region take part in a Merdeka Day convoy.
“We hope other Vespa owners would join the convoy when we organise it,” he said.
Over in Yan, 57 vintage and classic car owners recently took part in the Kembara Merdeka Convoy organised by Yan district and land office to usher in the 57th Merdeka Day celebration.
The convoy was flagged off by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom who is also Jerai member of parliament.
During the 57km trip, the convoy participants spread the message on the importance of remembering the country’s forefathers who had fought for Independence.
Prior to the event, Jamil had also distributed Jalur Gemilang flags to motorists. Rain did not dampen the spirit for the more than 1,000 people who thronged Kampung Keda Sungai Udang in Yan to take part in the Fly Jalur Gemilang Campaign recently.
The event was launched by State Industry and Investment, Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail who is also Guar Chempedak assemblyman.
Ku Abd Rahman said he was so proud to see the people gathered to usher the country’s Independence Day in the rain.
“We are touched by the response although the event is organised on a moderate scale to respect the MH17 victims and their families.
“It has been a challenging year for our country and we need to stay united and show our patriotism during this Merdeka month,” he said.
Present was Yan district police chief DSP Nek Zaidi Zakaria.
Meanwhile in Jerlun, a true Merdeka spirit was in the air as thousands of people from all walks of life converged at SMK Jerlun to take part in a maiden parade to celebrate the country’s 57th Independence Day for Jerlun parliamentary constituency recently.
The congregation gathered at the school since 7am to take part at the 1km parade which ended at SK Jerlun. The event was led by Jerlun member of parliament Datuk Othman Aziz.
The participants were villagers from Kampung Hilir, Kampung Tengah, Kampung Padang Lalang, Kampung Kubang Nipah, Kampung Jeruju, Kampung Jerlun Tengah, Kampung Pekan Jerlun.
Othman said the Merdeka parade was organised to showcase patriotism among the people in Jerlun while educating the younger generation on the importance of the country’s independence.
This event also reminded the people that independence was not simply given to the country, but was gained after the struggles and sacrifices by our forefathers.
“As such, it is the responsibility of each of us to preserve the country’s sovereignty.
“This event should be held annually at the district level to express our patriotism and love to the country,” said Othman.
During the event, the participants also sang the national anthem Negaraku, Jalur Gemilang, Keranamu Malaysia and Tanggal 31.
Othman said several more events would be held throughout the constituency to celebrate Merdeka including a gathering today at Kampung Pering. Additional reporting by Zahratulhayat Mat Arif