Jointly reported by:
Jr2Z(1) Ashley Chow Zuying
Sr1ScE New Zhi Xuan

Photography by:
Sr1C Melanie Wong

             As Malaysia celebrates 67 years of independence, the nation continues to thrive in harmony, showcasing its rich diversity of ethnicities and cultures. In honor of this milestone and to commemorate the martyrs who fought for the country’s freedom, Kuen Cheng High School hosted a National Independence Day celebration on August 30, 2024, at 7:40 a.m. at the school’s basketball court.

The event began with five uniformed groups marching in precision, proudly carrying the Jalur Gemilang. Students and teachers stood together to sing both the national and school anthems, led by three teachers representing Malaysia’s major ethnic groups—Malay, Chinese, and Indian. This was followed by the solemn recitation of the Rukun Negara, led by Police Cadet commander Joseph Chong, reaffirming the school’s commitment to the nation’s core principles.

(Photo 1: Joseph Chong leading the proclamation of Rukun Negara)

             The emcees then welcomed the Principal, Madam Chua Lee Lee, to address the gathering. In her speech, Madam Chua highlighted the significance of unity and resilience in shaping Malaysia’s bright future.
The celebration continued with a stirring patriotic song mashup performed by the school’s wind orchestra. Each performer harmonized flawlessly, creating a beautiful blend of melodies that resonated with pride and patriotism. The applause that followed echoed from every corner of the court. Adding a unique twist to the event, students from Junior Middle 2Z(2) then took the stage for an uncommon and captivating performance, drawing the audience’s keen attention.

(Photo 2: Students from Jr2Z(2) getting ready for their show)

The students then captivated the audience with a traditional dikir barat performance. Sitting cross-legged, one student began playing the kompang while the others swayed their hands in perfect synchronization. Dikir barat, a traditional Malay musical form, features group singing and rhythmic clapping. The students performed the awok-awok (chorus), engaging in a lively call-and-response style with the two tok juara, the lead singers. The tok juara delivered powerful lyrics with moral messages, reflecting the spirit of Merdeka.

As their performance concluded, students from Junior Middle 2Z(3) joined in to sing the iconic song for Independence Day, Saya Anak Malaysia. Their smiles were infectious as they swayed to the rhythm, with the audience joyfully waving the Jalur Gemilang and singing along.

The celebration ended on a high note with a group photo of the performers and teachers, leaving everyone with a heartfelt reminder of the importance of unity and the pride in living harmoniously, regardless of race or religion.