MERDEKA Day 2018 celebrated today is to unite all Malaysians with the celebrations culminating with a parade in Putrajaya.

This year’s parade features four components with the theme “Sayangi Malaysiaku” (Love my Malaysia), namely patriotism, public order, national security and unity.

Upon the arrival of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V at Dataran Putrajaya, the ceremony beamed live on television and social media sites began with the singing of Negaraku and followed by the recitation of the ​​​​​​​Rukun Negara pledge.

The Putrajaya air space was filled with the sounds of five helicopters comprising two EC 725 AP and a Sikorsky S61A-4 Nuri, an Augusta 109 and a Super Lynx as well a guard of honour to Seri Paduka.

A 14-gun royal salute, symbolic of the 14 states in Malaysia, was executed by the 41st Ceremonial Battery of the Royal Artillery Regiment and accompanied by the hoisting of the ​​​​​​​Jalur Gemilang while Negaraku filled the air.

Present were Prime Minister  Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, ministers, including Communications and  Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo and foreign representatives.

This year’s celebration is a milestone because of the change in government under Pakatan Harapan and Dr Mahathir’s return to power at the age of 93.

The choice of Putrajaya is also special as Dr Mahathir was the person who mooted and inspired the development of the area, previously known as ​​​​​​​Prang Besar, to become the country’s administrative capital in 1995.

The last time the National Day parade took place in ​​​​​​​Putrajaya was in 2005.

An estimated 300,000 people thronged Dataran Putrajaya as early as 5am, bringing along their ​​​​​​​Jalur Gemilang to witness the parade.

The recital of the Rukun Negara pledge involving 50 pupils was led by Muhammad Aiman Shafiq Mohd Shah Noor Yong from the Royal Military College, Kuala Lumpur’s Sg Besi camp. – Bernama, August 31, 2018.