NIBONG TEBAL, July 17 — The 2023 Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang Convoy (KMJG) took a whole new approach today when the Jalur Gemilang handover route from Perak to Penang used the KTM Komuter and Penang Rapid Bus service.

Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said the convoy participants travelled by Komuter and Penang Rapid Bus, while waving and distributing the Jalur Gemilang to passengers.

"The most important strategic partners for this travel edition were the Malayan Railways (KTMB) and the Penang Rapid Bus,” she told reporters after the KMJG 2023 flag-off ceremony at the Penang checkpoint, here today.

"One of the unique features of this edition of the journey is that the Jalur Gemilang handover route from the state of Perak to Penang was done using the two public transport services,” she said.

Teo said such a programme can unite all communities and various categories of society regardless of age to fuel the spirit of love for the country and reinforce unity.

Additionally, she said, unity is the core of building a successful nation.

"I call on everyone to return to the principles of the Rukun Negara because this is where the foundation of identity, unity, prosperity, respect and country’s success are embedded,” she said.

The pride of the nation, the Jalur Gemilang will be taken throughout the country covering some 3,347 kilometres by KMJG 2023 that began in Ipoh yesterday, and will end at Dataran Putrajaya on August 31, in conjunction with the National Month celebrations and Fly the Jalur Gemilang 2023 campaign.

Earlier, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who is also National Day and Hari Malaysia 2023 Celebrations Main Committee chairman, said the convoy of vehicles will take the Jalur Gemilang across the country through the "Handover of the Jalur Gemilang” at checkpoints.

The convoy will involve 132 checkpoints, of which 66 are in the peninsula, and the remaining 66 in Sabah, Sarawak as well as Labuan. — Bernama