PASIR GUDANG: Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, in his special message for the 60th Merdeka Day, cautioned Johoreans against being lured into divisive politics.
He chided those who spread negativity about Johor and Malaysia for these are the only places to call home.
"Do not allow yourselves to be victims of divisive politics, or those who speak only of the negatives about Johor and Malaysia.
"In the end, it still is and always will be our home," Khaled said in his Merdeka message released by the Menteri Besar's Office.
Khaled said Johor's youth play a big role in maintaining the state's sustainable growth and steering the state to greater heights in the future.
The state-level Merdeka eve celebration will be held tonight at Bukit Layang-Layang, Pasir Gudang
The celebration started as early as 7pm with a lineup of activities to mark the culmination of the country's 60th Merdeka celebration.
There were concerts shows from local celebrities as well as cultural performances.
The sky above Bukit Layang-Layang will also be a splash of colours from the fireworks display slated for midnight.
Earlier, at the Sultan Iskandar Mosque in Bandar Dato Onn, a congregation of 1,000 people observed the global #QuranHour celebration, coupled with the Merdeka theme.
They recited verses from the Quran immediately after Maghrib prayers ended about 7.30pm.
The event was organised by the Communication and Multimedia Ministry in collaboration with the Johor government as a part of various Merdeka-themed events culminating in the National Day celebration tomorrow.
The group recited the Quran while being led by Rumah Ngaji Johor chairman Shamsuddin Ismail and Rumah Ngaji Johor icon Halim Hafidz.
Shamsuddin said Rumah Ngaji Johor was a non-governmental organisation advocating the importance of learning and understanding the Al-Quran as part of life, culture and practices among Muslims.
The NGO was also given the responsibility of promoting the Johor leg of the World #QuranHour.
"This is the first time it is being held in Johor and coincidentally the Merdeka celebration falls on the 9th day of Zulhijjah when the haj pilgrimage reaches its pinnacle as pilgrims perform the 'wuquf' in Arafah," he said.
He said the Communication and Multimedia Ministry's secretariat had mooted the idea for Johor's #QuranHour to be on the eve of Merdeka Day as Muslims observed the 9th of Zulhijjah after sunset today.
Shamsuddin said this year, about 45 locations worldwide is observing #QuranHour which is slated to start their one hour recitation simultaneously at noon tomorrow.