[Featured Post] Astro Merdeka Day Campaigns

Astro’s Negaraku Premieres 48 Merdeka Titles! 

#kitasama Blood Donation Drive in 8 Locations Nationwide!

(Video footage of the press conference can be found here: http://loong-updates.blogspot.com/2014/08/featured-post-astro-merdeka-day.html) 

12 August 2014, Kuala Lumpur– Malaysia’s 57th Merdeka Day is just around the corner. In conjunction with such an important day, Astro will pay a tribute to Malaysia and Malaysians via two Merdeka campaigns from 15 August 2014 till 16 September 2014.

The first campaign, Negaraku will air the best of Malaysia via 48 premiere new programmes across various TV channels celebrating the beauty and diversity of Malaysia. The second Merdeka campaign will consist of a nationwide blood donation drive to reinforce the message of ‘Unity Runs in Our Blood’.

Henry Tan, Chief Operating Officer of Astro said, “Our 2014 Negaraku campaign focuses on the uniqueness about being Malaysian which is expressed through the theme, “Unity Runs in Our Blood.’ A key event for for this Negaraku campaign is the #kitasama blood donation drive which emphasis that Malaysians are bonded to each other regardless of our multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-ethnic composition. On air, Astro will celebrate the unity and diversity of Malaysia through more than 140 programmes of which 48 are Premiere titles. At the same time, we would like to invite all Malaysians to share their Merdeka moments by using the hashtag #kitasama on social media”.

Among the 48 new titles are ‘Saloma’ (Astro First, CH480), ‘Selempang Kuning’ and ‘Kerana Anggun’ (Astro PRIMA, CH105), ‘Sambanthan’ (Vaanavil, CH201) and ‘Family GO CUTI’ (Astro AEC, CH301), ‘Jiwadan Ragaku’ (Astro Arena, CH801), ‘Oh My English!: 1957 Merdeka Part 1 & 2’ (Astro TVIQ, CH610), and many more.

Malaysia’s rich diversity and culture will also take centre stage on Astro’s international channels with key titles such as, ‘Ride & Seek: Borneo’ (HISTORY, CH555), ‘Jonathan Phang’s Gourmet Trains’ (AFC, CH703), ‘Time Capsule Malaysia’ (HISTORY, CH555), ‘Malaysia Street Food Circus with Makan sutra’(TLC, CH707), ‘Mega structures: The 2^nd Penang Bridge’ (National Geographic Channel, CH553), ‘KL Enforcers’ (CI, CH732) and ‘Eye on Malaysia: Malaysia’s Best Teachers’ (Discovery, CH551).

Dato' Dr Faraizah Bt Dato' Abd Karim, Deputy Director of National Blood Bank said, “We would like to thank Astro for inviting us to be part of the #kitasama blood donation drive which is also supported by a great line up of artists that will serve to heighten people’s awareness regarding this campaign. We would also like to take the opportunity duringthis Merdeka celebration to encourage more Malaysians to pledge themselves to be blood donors.”

As a support to the campaigns, Astro talent and personalities took time off their busy schedules to participate in the #kitasama blood donation drive.

Jack Lim 林德荣 from MyFM stated that, “I heard from the organizer that their target today is to have at least 200 participants to take part in the blood donation event. I am touched seeing so many people taking part in this campaign. Personally, I am an active blood donor too. My previous donation was done three months ago. From the first time I started to donate blood, I think I have donated at least 30 times already.”

This is also the first time for Emily Poon to take part in blood donation. She felt very happy when she saw that everyone is contributing here to help others.

On the other hand, local artiste陈韵传 has the intention to donate. However, due to hypotension, she was unable to participate in the donation.

Sarimah Ibrahim of Astro Radio’s MIX FM stated, “The #kitasama blood donation drive has anaim to deliver what I believe is an essential message to all Malaysians that though we may differ in a lot of aspects, at the end of the day we are all the same and united as one nation. I am very proud to be part of a campaign that underlines the importance of national unity”.

Meanwhile Asmawi Bakiri from Astro Arena mentioned, “I hope that we can touchmore lives and rally together to help our fellow Malaysians who are in need of blood”.

Photos of other celebrities who were there during the campaign and press conference:

The blood donation drive will be held in 8 states including East Malaysia to encourage all Malaysians to donate their blood to the National Blood Bank Malaysia. The public are welcomed to participate in the blood donation drive at:

• KSL City Mall, JB (15 & 16 August),
• East Coast Mall, Kuantan and Greentown Mall, Ipoh (23 & 24 August),
• Cheras Leisure Mall, Klang Valley (30 & 31 August)
• Stadium Sultan Mizan, Planet Gempak Kuala Terengganu (5 & 6 September),
• Prangin Mall, Penang and Centerpoint, Kota Kinabalu (13 & 14 September), and
• Plaza Merdeka, Kuching (16 September).

Viewers can log on to www.astro.com.my/Negaraku for the Negaraku content schedule starting as well as information on the #kitasama blood donation drive locations.

Published by WLJack.