Batu Kawan Stadium Becomes Focal Point As PM Anwar Set To Launch Unity Week

BATU KAWAN, July 19 (Bernama) -- Now in its third day, the National-Level 2025 Unity Week (SMP) celebration at the Batu Kawan Stadium grounds continued in a lively and festive atmosphere, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim scheduled to attend the launch ceremony today, marking the highlight of the event.

Themed ‘Harmony in Diversity’, the ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10.30 am, and will also be attended by National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

This marks the third edition of the national-level celebration, following previous instalments in Kuching, Sarawak (2023) and Johor (2024). The event will also feature the presentation of the Progressive Rukun Tetangga (Neighbourhood Watch or RT) grant and the presentation of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Foundation scholarships to deserving recipients.

Adding colour to today’s programme are a variety of cultural and community-centric activities that reflect Malaysia’s rich diversity, including the ‘Roti Canai Terbang ‘ contest and the all-ethnicities bridal show.

The day will culminate in the ‘Malam Irama Unity Sama-Sama Kita’ concert, featuring performances by a star-studded line-up of Malaysian artists such as Datuk Awie, Stacy, Jaclyn Victor, Black Hanifah, Shila Zikir, and Suki Low.

A total of 35 exciting activities await visitors throughout SMP 2025, taking place from Thursday to Sunday. Highlights include the Rumah KAMI exhibition, the Kadazan Dusun and Orang Asli villages, the Malaysia Tanah Airku exhibition, the ‘Susur Masa’ exhibition by the Department of Museums Malaysia, and the National Library Pavilion.

In conjunction with Unity Week, various public services are also being offered directly to the people. These include discounts on summonses from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Road Transport Department (JPJ), as well as reductions in compounds issued by local authorities such as the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP).

During his one-day working visit to Penang, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to attend several other programmes, including the launch of the MADANI Bumiputera Tunas Master Plan and the JKPSB Housing Project at the Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Campus in Permatang Pauh, near here, before officiating SMP 2025.

After that, he will attend the groundbreaking ceremony and launch of Rumah Bakat MADANI SkyWorld Pearlmont in Seberang Jaya, before concluding his visit by officiating the groundbreaking ceremony of the Teluk Kumbar MADANI Complex in Bayan Lepas at 4 pm.

-- BERNAMA