SHAH ALAM, Aug. 25 -- The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has urged Malaysians to use this year's National Day celebrations to reinforce national unity by looking past racial, religious, and political divides.

His Royal Highness made the call after officiating a flag-raising ceremony at Dataran Selangor on Wednesday. The event marked the start of the official flag-flying period, running until September 17 in conjunction with Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day..

The Sultan had earlier consented to the Jalur Gemilang being hoisted at the Selangor State Flagpole throughout the commemorative period.

"Although we differ in race, religion, language, political ideology and background, the Jalur Gemilang reminds us that we remain ...