Malaysians from various backgrounds gathered at Dataran Putrajaya to celebrate the country’s 66th National Day. Despite the early morning rain, their enthusiasm remained undeterred, with some arriving as early as Wednesday night to secure prime viewing spots. These early birds were surprised by the heavy traffic, and by 4am, the closest available parking was over a kilometer away. Fortunately, the rain stopped at around 6am, and the weather remained pleasant throughout the parade.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, along with his deputies, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, arrived at 7.45am. At 8am, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah also made their entrance. Sultan Abdullah wore a green military outfit, while Tunku Azizah looked stunning in a blue baju kurung.
The event commenced with the national anthem Negaraku, followed by a 14-gun salute and the recitation of the Rukun Negara. A captivating image of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) marching along the streets of Putrajaya was displayed, showcasing the nation’s pride. Following this, students from various schools in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor performed on stage, and the Army Red Warrior amazed the crowd with their motorcycle stunts. They even managed to form the shapes of the Tugu Negara, a peacock, and a Rafflesia, eliciting cheers and applause.
Another thrilling performance came from the Royal Malaysian Police VAT69 Commando parachute unit. Descending from a height of 5,000m, the six-man team executed a perfect landing right in front of the Royal Box. The celebration continued with a grand marching parade, divided into nine components representing national security and wellbeing. Images of buildings adorned with the Jalur Gemilang were displayed, accompanied by an aerial display. Among the highlights was the Abang Bomba and the K-9 unit, who received enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. Abang Bomba refers to strong and muscular firemen who became popular during last year’s National Day celebration.
The Royal Malaysian Air Force showcased impressive missiles that left many spectators in awe. The climax of the event was the air show, featuring 50 assets such as the Sukhoi-30 twin-engine and F/A-18D fighter jets, as well as Black Hawk and Superlynx combat helicopters. As the Cabinet members departed, they kindly rolled down their windows to take pictures with the guests.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
