The
Limkokwing University international community joined Indonesian students in celebrating their country’s 69th Independence celebration on 26 August at Limkokwing University plaza.
Dubbed ‘SERABI’ after a traditional Indonesian cake, this independence celebration event is held annually and is wholly organised by Merah Putih Club.
The Independence celebration began with the ‘flag hoisting’, a patriotic procession where members of Merah Putih Club march to the stage and raise the Indonesian flag while they sing the Indonesian National anthem. The national anthem was followed by a recital of Pancasila, the official Indonesian values and beliefs, followed by a prayer.
Gema, a music community under Merah Putih Club, took to the stage playing lively music that had students clapping excitedly. They played a medley of songs from Japanese anime series ‘Crayon Shin-chan’, ‘Naruto’ and ‘Dragon Ball’, which most of the Indonesian students grew up watching, and the songs brought nostalgic memories and a lot of cheer from the crowd.
The audience was invited to join in playing traditional games that involved a lot of fun, team work and interaction. The club had also set up a food bazaar that offered traditional Indonesian food and snacks.
The event was closed by the energetic Gema, who took the stage to play ‘dangdut’, a very popular music genre in Indonesia. Dangdut combines local Indonesian music traditions, Indian and Malaysian film music, and Western rock.
About Merah Putih Club
Merah Putih is an Indonesia student community in Limkokwing University. The club was created as a means to unite Indonesian students not only in Limkokwing University, but throughout Malaysia. It comprises several internal communities that cater for students’ unique talents. Some of the communities under Merah Putih include: music community (Gema), film community (Teh-O-Ais), art community (Kanvas), photography community (Bingkai), football community (Lubang Buaya), basketball community (Kretek), and a traditional dance community (Saman Dance).
President of Merah Putih Club, Yusuf Auliadilaga said the club’s main aim is to help Indonesian students settle well in a foreign country and help them explore their talents. “The club is a way for us to stay united and help each other grow. Through this club, we are able to share our culture and practises with the world.”
He went on to say being in Limkokwing University, they have an opportunity to share their unique culture with the world, since there are students from over 160 countries on campus. Events like SERABI are held to let Merah Putih members practice and apply the management skills, theories and principles that students learn throughout their course at Limkokwing University, such as Event Management, Public Relations, Marketing, etc.
To get in contact with Merah Putih Club, visit their FB page at www.facebook.com/merahputihluct.
