PUTRAJAYA: I am a Malaysian, says 69-year-old Janny Lee proudly, having never missed celebrating National Day since Malaysia gained independence in 1957.
The senior citizen from Ampang, Selangor, has always celebrated National Day to express her love for the country and makes a new “signboard” decorated with the Jalur Gemilang every year.
“My National Day signboard is different each year, and on National Day, I am always at the venue to celebrate. I take pride in doing it. Even if I have a fever, I will bring paracetamol,” she told Bernama when met at the 2024 National Day celebration here on Saturday (Aug 31).
Lee said she arrived at Dataran Putrajaya at noon on Friday (Aug 30) to witness the 2024 National Day celebration themed “Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka”.
“I took a taxi to Putrajaya using the money from the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) cash assistance,” she said.
As for Zamarul Azuan Abdul Rahim, 46, who was with his wife and two children, they arrived in Putrajaya at 2pm on Friday (Aug 30) from Seremban, Negri Sembilan, to witness the 2024 National Day celebration.
“This is the first time I have brought my family to the National Day celebration. They are excited to watch the parade,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lua Moa Qin, 25, from China, said she had been waiting to witness the National Day celebration in Malaysia.
“This is the second time I have come to see the parade. It is a unique occasion,” said the student of an exchange programme at a local university here.
The 67th National Day celebration, themed “Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka” at Dataran Putrajaya on Saturday, was graced by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia.
The celebration featured a parade and procession involving more than 17,000 participants, 59 contingents, 24 bands, and 439 military assets. – Bernama
