FT FLAG HOISTING CAMPAIGN TO STRENGTHEN PATRIOTISM IN LABUAN - LO 

LABUAN, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- The Federal Territories (FT) Flag Hoisting Campaign, which runs from Jan 17 to Feb 28, is expected to strengthen patriotic spirit and foster greater community participation among residents of Labuan, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Lo Su Fui said.

He said the campaign provides an opportunity for all segments of society to enliven the celebration of Federal Territory Day by displaying the Federal Territories flag across the island, including in the town centre, villages, public parks, government residential quarters and the ferry terminal.

“The hoisting of the Federal Territories flag at strategic locations is aimed at nurturing a stronger sense of patriotism and pride among the people of Labuan as part of the Federal Territories family,” he said at the campaign launch held at the Labuan International Sea Sports Complex here today.

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The flag-hoisting campaign also marks the official kick-off of the Federal Territory Day Celebration 2026, commemorated annually on Feb 1 to mark the declaration of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya as Federal Territories.

Lo said a total of 12,500 Federal Territories flags of various sizes had been distributed by Labuan Corporation, including to 27 villages across the island, reflecting strong collective commitment to ensuring the celebration reaches the grassroots.

He added that the positive response from the community demonstrated that the celebration of Federal Territory Day was inclusive and people-centric, while serving as a curtain-raiser for a series of programmes planned throughout 2026 for residents of the Federal Territories.

Lo also called on the public to support the ‘Federal Territories Lighting’ initiative from Jan 26 to Feb 28, which will see commercial buildings, particularly in the town centre, illuminated to enhance the vibrancy of urban areas and attract visitors.

He said the initiative would further enliven Federal Territory Day celebrations, support the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign, and help strengthen Labuan’s image as an international tourism destination.

Meanwhile, Labuan Corporation chief executive officer Mohd Sukuran Taib said Federal Territory Day programmes are among the annual signature events of the Federal Territories Department, aimed at fostering unity, patriotism and a shared sense of identity across the three territories.

He said the flag-hoisting campaign in Labuan serves as a symbolic starting point for the celebration, with objectives that include instilling civic pride, nurturing values of sovereignty and responsibility, and promoting unity and cooperation across generations.

A wide range of activities has been lined up to enliven the celebration, including Fun Walk Wilayahku, Treasure Hunt Wilayahku, community-level flag-hoisting competitions, Zumba sessions, colouring contests, Rahmah and Agro Madani sales, exhibitions, health screenings and other community-based programmes.

The campaign was launched simultaneously across Labuan, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, with the 2026 theme ‘Wilayah Persekutuan Kita’, underscoring a shared commitment to strengthening patriotism and togetherness.

-- BERNAMA