Have courage to rebuild nation, Anwar tells youth on Malaysia Day eve

In his Malaysia Day message at Malaysiakini's inaugural Pesta Harapan, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has called on youths to have the courage to rebuild the nation.

"I would like to congratulate all the youths.

"This is a new Malaysia that promises more youth participation, because this country will do its best for the youths," said Anwar, who came up on stage at Padang Timur in Petaling Jaya, Selangor shortly before midnight.

He earlier received a Harapan wishlist from youth group representatives on the economy, the environment and democracy.

While waiting for the countdown to September 16, Anwar noted that the country has had its fair share of ups and downs, and the time has come to build a better future.

"Some of us at least, have destroyed the institutions in the country.

"(Now) we have to fight racism, we have to fight corruption; we must have the courage, the strength, to rebuild Malaysia, and that's the role of the young," he said as some 3,000 participants were preparing for the 5km Harapan LED Run.

Flagging off the run was Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

Nation in youths’ hands

Malaysiakini co-founder and editor-in-chief Steven Gan, who joined the run, made a similar call to the youths of Malaysia.

"For all those young people, I think I'm still young.

“But to the ones who are really young, I would say this: the future is yours and you will be the one to shape the future," he said.

Also on stage were a number of local politicians: Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Steven Sim, Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin Abdullah, Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil, Bukit Gasing assemblyperson Rajiv Risyakaran, Seri Delima assemblyperson Syerleena Abdul Rashid and Bandar Utama assemblyperson Jamaliah Jamaludin .

At the stroke of midnight, a fireworks display marked the 55th Malaysia Day celebrations.

Earlier, the crowd that packed the muddy field were entertained by a long list of local artistes, including songstress Siti Nurhaliza and Jaclyn Victor.

Local bands Bunkface and Estranged also pumped up the crowd with their energetic performances, on top of treating their fans to free merchandise. - Mkini