YANG di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Permaisuri Agong Raja Zarith Sofiah graced the Merdeka Day 2024 celebration at Dataran Putrajaya today, reported Bernama.
It is the king and queen’s first appearance at the country’s Merdeka Day celebration since Sultan Ibrahim was sworn in and crowned as the 17th king of Malaysia on January 31 and July 20, respectively.
The king and queen arrived at 8am and were received on arrival by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
The fanfare from the nafiri resonated throughout Dataran Putrajaya before the songs Hormat Diraja and the national anthem, Negaraku, was played.
This was followed by a fly-past by five helicopters carrying the Malaysian flag as well as the flags of the Malaysian armed forces – the army, navy and air force.
Earlier, Anwar and members of his cabinet arrived at the venue to witness the parade and performances marking this year’s celebration.
The event, themed Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka, was also attended by deputy ministers, dignitaries, and foreign delegates.
This year’s celebration featured 17,262 participants, 67 contingents, 36 bands, 534 assets from the army and Royal Malaysian Air Force, and 100 service animals. – August 31, 2024.
