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PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today officiated the launch of the 2025 National Month at Dataran Tanjung Emas, Muar, in a celebration marked by music, community events, and patriotic spirit, attended by more than 12,000 people.
Themed ‘Malaysia MADANI Rakyat Disantuni’, the celebration featured the public debut of the official national song of the year, composed to reflect values of compassion, justice and social inclusion.
A highlight of the event was the flag-off of the Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang 2025 convoy, which for the first time combined water and land vehicles.
A total of 66 vessels, including those from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Marine Police, Marine Department and local fishermen, sailed along Sungai Muar. On land, 88 vehicles representing government agencies, civil society, the gig economy, and private sector groups took part.
Organised in collaboration with the Johor state government and various ministries and agencies, the National Month celebrations include a week-long programme of side events such as the Kita MADANI Carnival, MADANI Community Retreat, Community Service Day, MADANI Fiesta, and a 6.8KM Merdeka Fun Run & Walk.
The Kita MADANI Carnival features a showcase of entrepreneurs, interactive exhibitions, mobile public services, and discounted sales initiatives such as RAHMAH MADANI, Agro MADANI and Kasih Johor.
Also present at the launch were Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi; Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, who chairs the National Day 2025 Steering Committee; several federal ministers; and Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri (full name not provided).
Speaking at the event, Onn Hafiz renewed Johor’s long-standing request to retain 25% of the income tax collected in the state to fund its own development.
“It can be any amount, whether 20% or 30%. We have been implementing many people-centric programmes, but we are constrained by finances,” he said.
He pointed to a proposal by Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim and stressed that autonomy over state revenue would enable Johor to fast-track public services.
“I have just been informed that the Pasir Gudang Hospital, which was meant to open in stages beginning August 2025, has now been delayed until January 2026. I am deeply disappointed,” he said.
Onn Hafiz also cited operational issues at the Sultan Iskandar and Sultan Abu Bakar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine complexes, along with outstanding flood mitigation projects and hospital concerns.
“I wish to remind Johoreans just how critical it is for 25% of our tax revenue to be returned to Johor. This way, we need not burden the federal government or wait months for approvals,” he said. - July 27, 2025