{
  "id": 3431803,
  "title": "Look beyond racial and political lines this Merdeka, urges Sultan of Selangor",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/look-beyond-racial-and-political-lines-this-merdeka-urges-sultan-of-3431803",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-26T04:43:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/08/26/look-beyond-racial-and-political-lines-this-merdeka-urges-sultan-of-selangor/232687"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Shah Alam, on August 26 — The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has called on Malaysians to focus on national unity during this year’s Merdeka celebrations, urging them to set aside racial, religious, and political differences. The Sultan made the appeal following his participation in a flag-raising ceremony at Dataran Selangor, which marked the beginning of the official flag-flying period that will continue until September 17 in celebration of Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day. Sultan Sharafuddin expressed his consent for the Jalur Gemilang, Malaysia’s national flag, to be displayed at the Selangor State Flagpole throughout the commemorative period.\n\nDespite the diverse backgrounds of Malaysians in terms of race, religion, language, political beliefs, and origins, the Sultan emphasized that the Jalur Gemilang represents a symbol of national unity. He highlighted that the flag is a shared symbol for all citizens, urging every individual to feel proud of their country. The Sultan stressed that the spirit of Merdeka should extend beyond mere celebrations, urging citizens to respect those who have worked to bridge divides between communities. He urged younger generations to be raised with an appreciation for the diverse cultures, races, and faiths present in Malaysia.\n\nThe Sultan’s message was directed specifically towards political leaders, who he stressed must lead by example by demonstrating moderation, tolerance, and compassion. He warned against using political, racial, or religious differences as reasons to divide the population. Sultan Sharafuddin noted that while hoisting thousands of flags during the Independence month is relatively simple, the true challenge lies in fostering a society where every Malaysian genuinely feels respected, valued, and proud of their citizenship. He pointed out that the Jalur Gemilang does not distinguish between ethnic communities, such as Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan-Dusun, Iban, or others, nor does it discriminate among religious traditions, including Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism. Sultan Sharafuddin concluded by emphasizing that independence is more than just a celebration, and the true value of the flag lies in our collective ability to maintain a nation where people can live together in peace, mutual respect, and unity.",
  "summary": "SHAH ALAM, Aug 26 — The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has urged Malaysians to use this year&r...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Selangor Sultan: National unity must go beyond flying the Jalur Gemilang",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/selangor-sultan-national-unity-must-go-beyond-flying-the-jalur",
        "published": "2026-08-26T03:12:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Selangor Sultan urges leaders not to exploit differences to divide Malaysians",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/selangor-sultan-urges-leaders-not-to-exploit-differences-to-divide",
        "published": "2026-08-26T03:50:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Look beyond racial and political lines this Merdeka, urges Sultan of Selangor",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/look-beyond-racial-and-political-lines-this-merdeka-urges-sultan-of",
        "published": "2026-08-26T04:43:45.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}