The New Malaysia might just have found a fitting anthem in Malaysian rock band Estranged’s “Bangkit” (Rise Up).

As the theme song for the forthcoming Pesta Harapan Malaysia 2018, it speaks about rising above adversity and holding true to one’s promises.

The song’s accompanying music video features many patriotic motifs - from a raised Jalur Gemilang to the Tugu Negara, the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and the nation’s tallest peak, Mount Kinabalu in Sabah.

Parts of it were also filmed at the Malaysiakini premises in Petaling Jaya and featured cameos by the news portal’s staff as musicians play the gamelan, tabla and traditional Chinese drums.

Estranged’s frontman Richael Lawrence Gimbang hoped the song would serve as a reminder of what the country had achieved in the 14th general election.

“The lyrics are about the personal struggles everyone goes through and also, the development of the country. We find it fitting, especially after the country had gone through such a difficult challenge (in the election).

“We also want to show Malaysia off (through the video),” he told Malaysiakini in an interview.

A staple of the local music scene since 2001, the award-winning band comprises Gimbang, rhythm guitarist Solihuddin Hormat and lead guitarist Nor Hanafi Noor Hadi.

Estranged will be among those performing at the Unity Concert at 6pm on Sept 15 at Padang Timur, Petaling Jaya. Others in the line-up include Jaclyn Victor, Bunkface, Soo Wincci, Couple, Mad August, along with comedians Papi Zak and Kavin Jay.

Aside from the concert, Pesta Harapan Malaysia for Youth will feature four other key events - a Youth Townhall Discussion on Policies, an LED Harapan run, a World Electronic Sports Games (WESG) tournament and the ALIBABA entrepreneurship summit.

It is the inaugural festival by Events @ Kini, Malaysiakini’s events management arm, and is organised in partnership with UniFi, AirAsia, Boost, Malindo Air and Country Heights Holdings Bhd.