BY MICHELLE TAM
Faces of Malaysia: (from left) 988 DJ Chan Fong, Choo, Wong, Anas, Low, Harith, Dr Lyana and Teoh posing together at the launch of The Star-EcoWorld Merdeka and Malaysia Day #anak-anak Malaysia campaign at EcoWorld International Centre in Mid Valley city. — AZHAR MAHFOF / The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: This Merdeka, celebrate the spirit of unity and 58 years of independence with the #AnakAnakMalaysia campaign.
The collaboration between Malaysia’s fastest rising property developer - Eco World Development Group Berhad - and the nation’s leading English language newspaper will see #AnakAnakMalaysia wristbands distributed nationwide together with copies of The Star.
At the launch of the campaign on Monday, Eco World Development Group Berhad chairman Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin said the group, which practices the “muhibbah” spirit, wanted to celebrate 58 years of Merdeka in a special way.
"We wanted to remember and honour the sacrifices of our forefathers and celebrate the spirit of unity they have worked so hard to establish. We have to be one country to be strong,” he added.
To him, embracing diversity in a multicultural society was key to a successful nation.
“The cultural diversity that we enjoy in Malaysia is something unique to us and one that we should be very proud of. The band is a reminder to all of us that we are Malaysians first and we should be proud to be one.
“We could not have found a better partner than The Star to kick start this campaign. The Star stands for moderation,” he added.
As the paper had borne witness to the country’s growing pains for more than four decades and watched the nation blossom, Star Media Group Berhad chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow said ensuring national unity has always been a commitment that is close to the Group’s heart.
“Acknowledging our strength in reaching out to the masses, we at The Star recognise that we have a key role to play. For the past year, we have stood strong in our stance that moderation is an ideal that belongs to all who live in Malaysia.
“Further strengthening our message, today we are proud to join hands with EcoWorld in being two locally born and bred Malaysian companies to introduce this simple yet impactful movement to uphold the spirit of independence and unity,” he said.
To creatively express their patriotism, readers can take a photo with the wristband and share what it means to be Malaysian with the hashtag #AnakAnakMalaysia.
The photos will be housed as a collage in a dedicated webpage - anakanakmalaysia.com.
Facebook users can also spread the spirit of patriotism on social media by inserting a digital band to their Facebook photo as a symbol of pride to be an “anak-anak Malaysia”.
Held at EcoWorld International Centre in Mid Valley City, the launch saw the announcement of 17 celebrity influencers to support the campaign.
They are author-entrepreneur Anas Zubedy, Malaysia’s first female mixed martial arts fighter Ann Osman, television personality Daphne Iking, comedian Harith Iskander, deejay Chan Fong, fashion designer Datuk Jimmy Choo, broadcast veteran Kudsia Kahar, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, squash players Low Wee Wern and Mohd Azlan Iskandar, G25 member Datuk Noor Farida Mohd Ariffin, Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin, scientist Dr. Lyana Khairuddin, artiste Resh, national youth icon Michael Teoh Su Lim, The Star Online editor Philip Golingai and Star Media Group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai.
The #AnakAnakMalaysia campaign runs from Aug 18 to Sept 16.
To get a hold of the wristband and be part of the campaign, visit any EcoWorld show gallery or pick up a copy of The Star newspaper on selected days. Log on to anakanakmalaysia.com for a listing of wristband collection points. Radio cruisers from RedFM, SuriaFM and 988FM will also be distributing wristbands and spreading the Merdeka cheer during their stops.
