Updated: 03 September 2018 National Day Celebration

The next issue will be on sale on 03 September 2018. The official date of issue is still 31 August 2018. Thus it will be 3 days late since the post offices have not been open for any stamp issues during Public Holidays unlike the practice up to the 1980s.

This issue will comprise of the following:

1. 60 sen stamp featuring Jalur Gemilang (the national flag)
2. 60 sen stamp featuing the Kuala Lumpur City Centre skyline, Putrajaya, the Sarawak State Legislative Building (in Kuching) and the Sabah State Administrative Centre Building (in Kota Kinabalu)
3. RM 5.00 Miniature Sheet with the National Day Celebration logo – Sayangi Malaysiaku (Love my Malaysia) with the emblems of all the states surrounding a die-cut love shape and a varnished logo
4. RM 6.00 empty folder

Here is a suggestion: As we near the end of the #KirimanMerdeka free postage date of 31 August 2018, any remnant envelopes can easily be used to make a matching composite FDC with the stamps and MS.

Updated 27 August 2018:

The media preview was organized on 27 August 2018 following a flag off ceremony of Pos Malaysia vehicles with Jalur Gemilang.

During the media preview, the quantities provided are:

1. Each stamp design – 200,000 pieces
2. Miniature Sheet – 25,000 pieces
3. Blank envelopes – 30,000 pieces
4. Empty folders – 1,800 pieces

In addition, Encik Helmi Hashim, Chief Operating Officer Pos Mel, was on hand to explain the Kiriman Merdeka. There are only 2 designs (white and yellow). At present the Free Postage will still be 31 August. Thus this is the last week to send. A total of 550,000 pieces of both designs were printed.

Happy National Day!

Updated 04 September 2018:

Yesterday saw a better than average turnout. National Day issues continue to be popular. Many took the opportunity to make composite FDCs with both the stamps and MS on a single cover. There are many who used the #KirimanMerdeka envelopes to make FDCs. Incidentally the pictorial cancellation is 31 August 2018 which is the last day of use of the #KirimanMerdeka envelopes!

Mr KY Lim from Reign Associates was on hand to patiently autograph, I believe over a thousand envelopes, folders, leaflets, posters and many other items. The envelopes were very popular as the design can be kept for future use.

Mr KY Lim is also the designer for the 2018 Malaysia Day stamp issue to be sold on 18 September 2018 and is expected to be in the Philatelic Bureau Kuala Lumpur to autograph.

The KLCC and Putrajaya post offices were also well visited by FDC collectors as both these locations match the stamp design. Some made a bee line to Medan Tuanku and Jalan TAR. Jalan TAR is actually referring to DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Tuanku Abdul Rahman (similar to the Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman). Kota Kinabalu and Kuching are the other concordant (matching) location cancellations.

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