MALAYSIANS were out in full force at Dataran Putrajaya today in a show of patriotism to mark the country’s 66th National Day.

The early morning peace and tranquility were broken as early as 1am when a sea of people filled up square where the event is being held today.

This year’s Merdeka theme is “Malaysia Madani: Tekad Perpaduan, Penuhi Harapan” (Determination in Unity, Fulfilling Hope).

Dignitaries and national leaders started arriving at 7.30am, followed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah who waved at the crowd and was greeted by loud cheers.

As soon as Sultan Abdullah and Tunku Azizah took their place at the royal box, five helicopters – three Airbus H225M helicopters, AgustaWestland AW109 and Maritime Operations Helicopter AW 139 – did a fly-by, accompanied by the national anthem “Negaraku”.

His Majesty was then given the royal salute and invited to inspect the guard of honour mounted by four officers and 103 members of the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, led by Major Mohd Ridhwan Mohd Asri.

Dataran Putrajaya, which last hosted the historic celebration in 2019, came alive with the beating of drums and three chants of “Malaysia Madani” to mark the arrival of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Apart from the prime minister, his two deputies Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Fadillah Yusof – as well as ministers, diplomats, foreign delegates and dignitaries attended the National Day 2023 celebration.

In a move to promote Malaysia’s batik heritage, the ministers and guests of honour wore special batik attire patterned with the hibiscus flower and Harimau Malaya stripes designed by Kraftangan Malaysia.

The event, involving 17,262 participants, 67 contingents, 36 brass bands, 534 land and air assets and 100 animals in service, was also broadcast and followed by millions of Malaysians live through television and social media sites.

The National Day 2023 celebration started off with singing the national anthem and then the hoisting of the Jalur Gemilang, which was accompanied by a 14-gun salute, symbolising the 14 states in Malaysia, by Unit 41 Battery of the Royal Artillery Regiment led by Lt-Col Mohamad Asri Che Wil.

The Rukun Negara pledge was recited, with sports icon Muhammad Haikal Roslan, who is the under-25 gold medallist in the 12th Asian Bowls Championship 2023, given the role to lead the 66 pledge recitors of various races, highlighting the element of unity.

Thirty-six of them recited the pledge using sign language and this was followed by seven shouts of Merdeka.

The audience was treated to a performance of the theme song entitled “Tekad Perpaduan, Penuhi Harapan” written by Affan Mazlan and composed by Mokhzani Ismail, while 1,500 school children from the Klang Valley made human formations, waving colourful flags in sync with the song.

For the unity and well-being segment, the audience was treated to a new rendition of the song “Kurik Kundi”, sung by multiracial artists namely Nadeera Zaini, Suki Low, Roshini Balachandran, Zizi Kirana and Hazraniza Dollah, signifying the unification of the people.

The focus then shifted to the performance of the army’s motorcycle acrobatics team – the Army Red Warrior – which featured a stunt by Sergeant Saidatul Husna Kamaruddin using a 250cc Kawasaki Scrambler with the 66 Royal Enfield motorcycles representing the country’s 66 years of independence.

Cheers and applause rang out for the birthday girl who also received a standing ovation from the royal couple.

The challenge and agility segment highlighted the skills of Bukit Aman’s elite squad the VAT 69 Commando Unit in performing a precision jump from a height of 4,000m, and successfully landing in front of the main tent despite the slippery road surface following the rain early this morning.

About 800 dancers and 600 school children brightened up special “Gegar Madani” performance, moving to the beat and rhythm of 400 drummers of various ethnicities.

This year’s National Day parade featured contingents of nationalism, Malaysia Madani Unity, economics, banking, telecommunications, creative and broadcasting industries, national sports, welfare, and national security.

Leading the nationalism contingent was the Army Music Training Centre’s band, followed by 100 cadet officers of the Military Training Academy of Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia carrying a 24.4m x 12.2m Jalur Gemilang, and a parade of 334 national flag bearers.

The Malaysia Madani unity contingent followed suit, consisting of 400 participants of various races and ethnicities in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak donning colourful traditional costumes. They were led by the National Unity Ministry deputy secretary-general Mohamad Sobri Mat Daud. 

The economy contingent was represented by personnel of the various government-linked agencies, government-linked investment companies and leading corporate entities that play a role in driving the economy including Petronas, DRB HICOM and FGV Holdings Bhd.

The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry paraded electric vehicle models such as Proton X90 Hybrid, Perodua Ativa Hybrid, GWM Ora Good Cat and Tesla Model Y Performance to reflect the government’s commitment to developing the country’s automotive industry including electric vehicles and components.

The characters from Malaysia’s much-loved animated series including “Mechamato”, “Ejen Ali”, “Boboiboy” and “Didi” were in their element as they were part of the creative industry and broadcast contingent, while Agrobank participants paraded in 30 antique cars.

Athletes who have brought honour to the country in various international sporting events also took part in the parade.

As the contingents marched in front of the royal box, they were cheered on by the king and queen who waved the Jalur Gemilang along with other guests. – Bernama, August 31, 2023.

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