[UPDATED] Malaysians up bright and early at Dataran Merdeka for National Day festivities

KUALA LUMPUR – More than 500 people showed up at Dataran Merdeka here as early as 5am, excited to celebrate National Day here while waiting for the parade to start at about 8am.

Most were seeking to ensure they could secure a good spot at the grandstand to watch the parade in its full glory.

Despite that, many were wearing masks – a stark reminder of the two-year pandemic that robbed the country of its large-scale annual celebrations due to the lockdowns imposed.

Themed “Keluarga Malaysia Teguh Bersama”, authorities were also expecting an extraordinary turnout today as more than 20,000 people are taking part in the parade, with some 50,000 expected to throng the streets around the venue.

Cultural Arts Development Division, National Department for Culture and Arts director Rosnan Nordin told Bernama that they had been entrusted with the responsibility of organising the event and that spectators can expect a different approach in terms of content compared to last year’s modest celebration.

The parade began with the arrival of the country’s leaders, witnessing the entrance of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah in the royal horse carriage.

Bernama reported Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa, who is the main organising committee chairman for the 2022 National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations, as saying that the horse carriage was last used by Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalullail during the National Day celebration at Dataran Putrajaya in 2005.

The arrival of the king and queen was followed by the Jalur Gemilang fly-past and the 14-gun salute, which is a National Day tradition.

His Majesty was then invited to inspect the Guard of Honour, mounted by four officers and 103 members and led by Major Nurul Fauzan Md Sabri of the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment.

More contingents performed their march-past this year, involving ministries, uniformed units and the private sectors, bringing the number of participants to 16,000.

The parade segment was led by bearers of a gigantic Jalur Gemilang, followed by 1,000 participants carrying national and state flags and contingents from 27 ministries.

Bikers on high-powered motorcycles marched past, followed by the Orang Asal contingent, national athletes and local figures as well as celebrities onboard vintage cars, accompanied by a marching band.

Contingents from the private sector and government-linked companies also marched past on decorated floats, with a replica of the Measat satellite among the star attractions.

Nearly 200 units of the country’s defence assets were on display, and the assets were equipped with special cameras to allow the audience to see the insides of the vehicles.

Later, Malaysians can expect to be entertained by local artistes such as Aina Abdul, Alif Satar and Amir Masdi. – The Vibes, August 31, 2022