Latest news with #National-Level2025UnityWeek
Barnama
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Barnama
SMP 2025: Museums Dept Relives Nostalgia Of Over 20 Traditional Games, Sports
By Siti Azila Alias BATU KAWAN, July 19 (Bernama) -- The traditional games booth set up by the Museums Department at the National-Level 2025 Unity Week (SMP) celebration at the Batu Kawan Stadium complex has emerged as one of the main attractions, particularly among the younger generation. More than 20 types of traditional games and sports were featured at the booth, including sumpit, galah panjang, baling getah, boling kelapa, kaki hantu, batu seremban, congkak, teng-teng and dam ular - all of which reflect the rich cultural diversity of Malaysian society. Curator of the National Museum, Mohd Jamil Harun, said the games were not only on display but also made available for visitors to try out, allowing them to relive nostalgic memories while introducing the younger generation to traditional pastimes that are increasingly at risk of being forgotten. 'The younger generation who visit the booth are especially drawn to kaki hantu as well as kerchang, a traditional game of the Orang Asli community. Many of them are unfamiliar with how these games are played, so the secretariat demonstrates the proper way to play them. 'It's the same with lastik tin (slingshot) - we provide rubber slingshots like those used to target lizards. They don't know how to use them properly, which is why we need to regularly introduce these games through programmes like SMP, so that at the very least, they are aware of and appreciate our heritage,' he told Bernama when met here yesterday. Mohd Jamil said that in addition to allowing visitors to try out traditional games, his team also organised daily activities and competitions at the booth throughout the four-day SMP celebration. These included contests such as timbang chapteh, baling damak and sepak raga gelung - all aimed at reviving interest in traditional sports. To further engage young visitors and families, the booth also featured a series of interactive DIY (Do-It-Yourself) workshops, such as making batu seremban and kites, as well as crafting congkak boards. What made the experience more meaningful, he said, was that participants were allowed to take home the games they made themselves, creating lasting memories while learning about the country's heritage. He noted that such activities indirectly help instil interest and raise awareness about the artistic and creative value embedded in traditional games.
Barnama
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Barnama
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.
