Kemas Targets 500,000 Participants In National Month Programmes

MELAKA, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- The Department of Community Development (KEMAS) is targeting 500,000 participants nationwide, including kindergarten pupils, parents, and community members, in various programmes which have been lined up throughout the National Month celebrations.

KEMAS director-general Datuk Ahmad Kamal Idris Mohd Nawawi said that, in line with the National Month theme, ‘Malaysia MADANI: Jiwa Merdeka', the agency's programmes are designed to promote patriotism and foster a deep love for the country.

“The primary goal of KEMAS is to instil values of patriotism through education, ensuring that the spirit of national pride is nurtured in the hearts and minds of children,” he told Bernama after the launch of the KEMAS National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign at the Independence Declaration Memorial in Banda Hilir.

The event was officiated by the state Rural Development, Agriculture, and Food Security Committee deputy chairman Low Chee Leong.

Ahmad Kamal Idris also said that all KEMAS kindergartens and nurseries, across the country, participated in the launch ceremony via a live online broadcast, involving 218,000 children and 17,000 KEMAS staff.

He said in conjunction with the National Day celebration, KEMAS also organised the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development’s ‘Sentuhan Kasih Desa MADANI’ initiative, through the ‘Kembara Merdeka’ and ‘Eksporasi Desa MADANI’ programmes.

“The Kembara Merdeka convoy will travel throughout the country, making stops in Melaka, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor and the Federal Territory of Putrajaya.

“The Exporasi Desa MADANI, on the other hand, aims to enhance human capital, strengthen economic and entrepreneurial activities, and improve the delivery system involving village leaders, youth, and rural communities,” he said.

-- BERNAMA