Manjung: The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, today inaugurated the Merdeka Hall of the Manjung Municipal Council here. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Raja Permaisuri of Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim, and the Raja Di Hilir of Perak, Raja Iskandar Dzurkarnain Sultan Idris Shah.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the event also saw the attendance of Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir. In his address, Saarani highlighted the significance of the hall's opening, marking three interconnected milestones: the culmination of an initiative started in 2016, the 25th anniversary of the Manjung Municipal Council, and a step towards achieving Tourism and Maritime City status by 2030.

Saarani elaborated that the Merdeka Hall, constructed at a cost of RM12.7 million and accommodating up to 2,500 people, is envisioned not only as a venue for official functions, conferences, and community activities but also as a catalyst for district development. He emphasized that the project, initiated in 2016, was a result of the persistent efforts of the then Perak Menteri Besar, leading to federal funding approval.

Furthermore, Saarani noted that the project's successful completion underscores the continuity of governance and the collaborative efforts between the Federal and state governments. He remarked that the hall's name serves as a reminder of independence as a trust that must be preserved with values that uphold societal dignity.

Saarani expressed hopes that the hall would become a hub for nurturing knowledge, fostering understanding, and promoting consensus-building, ultimately benefiting both the people and the state. He also pointed out the significance of the opening ceremony coinciding with the silver jubilee of the Manjung Municipal Council, which was established as a district council on January 1, 1980, and later upgraded to a municipal council on August 1, 2001.