KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor has urged Malaysians throughout Sabah to fly the Jalur Gemilang and state flags with pride and patriotism during the National month.

He said the national month should be a common platform for all Malaysians to draw upon strength for the country and Sabah to progress.

"Let us set aside all differences and be united to surmount all challenges facing the nation particularly in combating the COVID-19 pandemic," he said in a statement after launching of the state-level National month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign at the State Administrative Centre here today.

Hajiji also presented flags to State Secretary Datuk Safar Untong, State Federal Secretary Datuk Dr Zulkapli Mohamed, Tan Sri T.C Goh representing the chambers of commerce and industry, Dr Rahimatsah Amat on behalf of the non-governmental organisations and Kinabalu Parks Senior Park Ranger Engelbert Panil.

To mark this year's state-level National Day celebration, the Jalur Gemilang and state flag would be hoisted at the summit of Mount Kinabalu by park rangers led by Engelbert.

More than 20,000 national and state flags were also distributed to the public and private sectors in conjunction with the National month.

-- BERNAMA