KUALA LUMPUR: Companies can apply for tax deductions for money spent on this year’s Merdeka celebrations, said Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim. “They can claim for articles bought like flags or even projects they carry out as long as they have the receipts and proper documentation for my ministry’s verification. We have the support and agreement of the Finance Ministry on this,” he said.

Dr Rais announced this during a briefing to the media here yesterday on the Government’s programmes and activities to mark the country’s 50th anniversary of Independence.

He said that so far, 700 companies that had pledged their support for and participation in the celebrations would enjoy the tax deductions and urged others to join in. There was no cap to the deductible amount but the companies must spend the money before Aug 31 this year, he later told The Star.

Dr Rais, who chairs the national Merdeka celebrations steering committee, made a plea to all citizens to take part in the celebrations and urged them to fly the national flag.

He added that this year’s celebrations would pay tribute to the nation’s war veterans, the five prime ministers and the 13 kings.

“I also appeal to heads of all media companies to give publicity and instil the spirit of Merdeka in our people,” he said.

The minister said the official celebrations would kick off with the launch of the “Fly the Jalur Gemilang” campaign on Aug 17 in Malacca. On Aug 24, a nationwide programme would be held in which Malaysians of different faiths would pray for the nation.

The Ambang Merdeka on Aug 30 will see the re-enactment of the ceremony in which the Union Jack was lowered for the last time and the Malayan flag raised for the first time exactly 50 years ago at Dataran Merdeka here.

And as always, the traditional National Day parade will be held on the morning of Aug 31, also at Dataran Merdeka.

Dr Rais revealed that on the night of Aug 31, Tunku Abdul Rahman’s moving declaration of Independence would also be re-enacted at Merdeka Stadium.

The final event to close the celebrations will be held on Sept 10 in Kuching.