Sunway University College Celebrates the Nation’s 49th

The crowd that gathered in Sunway Lagoon Theme Park’s Surf Beach on the eve of Merdeka numbered over eight thousand. They were there as part of the Ambang Kemerdekaan Countdown celebration, organised by Sunway University College (SyUC). The institution had been appointed by the Ministry of Education to coordinate this event, marking the nation’s 49th Independence Day.

 

Other participating institutions were Taylor’s College, Politeknik Shah Alam, UiTM, Metropolitan College and Help University College.

Prior to the event, 30,000 free tickets were distributed to students from various institutions and the community.

The celebration began with performances by the students of Sunway University College and other local institutions of higher learning showing off their talents. Jake of Hitz.FM was the professional and witty emcee and all eyes were focused on the shows.

Sunway students showed a cultural appreciation with their performances of dikir barat and a Chinese peacock dance. A “Symphony of Merdeka” choir made up of Sunway students belted out favourite patriotic songs in their own unique style of arrangement. Students of Taylor’s College shone with their acapella vocals and Bollywood moves, and students of Politeknik Shah Alam wowed the audience with their silat skills.

As the hour of midnight drew near, local vocal group, Siarra, and the suave Ferhad took the stage to the adulation of adoring fans.

When midnight struck, the Guest of Honour, Yang Bahagia Dato' Dr Zulkefli Bin A. Hassan, Secretary General of Ministry of Higher Education, led the other guests and audience in an enthusiastic cheer. The seven cries of ‘Merdeka’ reverberated throughout the town of Bandar Sunway while students holding mini-Malaysia flags waved wildly on the Surf Beach. A brilliant 15-minute display of multi-coloured fireworks was then showcased high above the Theme Park and could be seen for miles around.

The Ambang Kemerdekaan Countdown was the culmination of the numerous activities organised by Sunway University College to commemorate Malaysia’s independence in the month of August. Events that took place on campus included a Merdeka Quiz, patriotic film screenings, and photo exhibitions on past Prime Ministers and National Day. Talks with patriotic themes were also conducted, such as “Nationalism in the Context of Globalisation” by Dr. Ibrahim Ahmad Bajunid, Professor of Management, Leadership and Policy Studies at UNITAR, and “Merdeka: What It Means To Me” by Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam, Sunway Group’s Corporate Advisor.