RM23,000 cash prizes up for grabs in Malaysia Day competitions

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 — A total of RM23,000 in cash prizes is just one of the highlights of a series of competitions kicking off in anticipation of the 2026 National Day and Malaysia Day (HKHM) festivities, all aimed at bolstering Malaysian patriotism. Assistant secretary of the Communications Ministry's Strategic and Corporate Communications Division, Muhammad Khairul Nazmi Jamsari, revealed that the competitions consist of two primary categories: the Lensa Malaysia Photojournalism Competition and the AiMAGINASI Malaysia Competition.

Both initiatives commenced on Aug 10 and are set to conclude on Sept 20, providing a creative platform for individuals to showcase their love for the nation.

The Lensa Malaysia Photojournalism Competition 2026 offers RM15,000 in total cash prizes, welcoming participants aged 15 and above who are passionate about photography. Meanwhile, the AiMAGINASI Malaysia Competition is tailored for young talents at higher education institutions to create innovative works leveraging AI technology.

Beyond the creative competitions, various community-based programs have been planned, such as the '1 House 1 Jalur Gemilang' initiative. This program aspires to create a nationwide wave of flag-flying involving nine main clusters, including education, higher education, health, security, Federal and state government agencies, communities, industry, houses of worship, and sports.

The program is being executed through all State Information Departments and 1,632 Madani Communities across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan for the distribution of Jalur Gemilang kits to the public.

This year's National Day celebrations will be held in Putrajaya, under the theme 'Malaysia Madani: Kesejahteraan Dinikmati', while Malaysia Day festivities are scheduled in Sarawak. For additional information on the national and state program calendars associated with the 2026 HKHM celebrations, interested individuals can visit the Merdeka360.my website.