#SHOWBIZ: Finas backs patriotic single 'Kita Warga Malaysia' to foster unity

KUALA LUMPUR: Music and storytelling have a unique way of bringing people together, especially the younger generation.

That is the driving force behind Kita Warga Malaysia, a patriotic track released for the Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations to inspire unity and national pride.

The creative journey behind the song was a true labour of love, taking nearly two years to come to fruition.

Its composer, Dr Lee Tuck Wah, built the track bit by bit, saving quick ideas on his mobile phone before turning them into a finished piece.

"It took me about three months just to get the main structure right," Lee recalled.

"When Tan Sri Syed Mohd Yusof Syed Nasir, President of the Dato' Malaysia Foundation, heard it, he gave me his full support to move forward. As a Malaysian, I felt we should all play our part to give back to our country and fly the flag high on the world stage."

The track caught the attention of the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas), which stepped in to support the passion project.

Finas chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib highlighted the duty local creators have in building a united nation.

"Music and creative content can easily cross language and cultural lines, making them brilliant tools for sharing positive messages," Azmir noted.

"Whether they are filmmakers, musicians, or social media creators, everyone has a role to play in shaping how people think."

He added that projects like this show how ordinary citizens, schools, local groups, and charities can work together to create something meaningful for the country.

Built around the five core principles of the Rukun Negara, the official music video for Kita Warga Malaysia is now available to watch on YouTube.