THEIR Majesties The King and Queen of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah, presided over the 2025 Warriors’ Day parade today at Dataran Pahlawan Negara in Putrajaya, paying tribute to the sacrifices of Malaysia’s armed forces and police personnel.
This year’s national celebration, organised by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), adopted a static parade format with the participation of detachments from the PDRM, Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), Veterans Association of Malaysian Armed Forces (PVATM), and the Ex-Policemen Association of Malaysia (PBPM).
Bernama reported today that the ceremony commenced with the national anthem Negaraku and a 21-gun salute led by Major Hafizan Mat Ghani of the 41st Battery, Royal Artillery Regiment (Ceremonial), followed by His Majesty’s inspection of the main guard of honour.
In total, 18 officers and 685 personnel took part in the parade, commanded by Superintendent Mohamad Ridzuan Roslan of the PDRM.
Also in attendance were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail, and Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar.
The proceedings included the sounding of the Last Post as the Jalur Gemilang was lowered, followed by a moving recital of ‘Darah Yang Terpercik di Baju’, performed by Detective Sergeant Ardiansyah Wayang (PDRM) and Staff Sergeant Siti Nur Aini Jasni (MAF).
The poem commemorated the ambush of an MAF convoy in 1979 by communist insurgents in Baling, Kedah, which claimed three lives: Corporal Ramli Abdul Rashid, Trooper Azmi Rahman, and Trooper Abu Hassan Syeikh Daud.
A highlight of the ceremony was the special pantomime Zabri, ‘Pejuang Sang Saka Biru’, a tribute to VAT69 Commando ASP Mohd Zabri Abdul Hamid, who was fatally injured by a booby trap during an anti-communist mission in 1975.
Directed by SAC Hakemal Hawari, the performance involved 142 PDRM personnel and featured an AI-generated video reimagining Zabri’s final moments, where he implored his comrades to “continue the struggle, to track down and eliminate the enemies of the nation, even in his absence.”
The parade concluded with the ceremonial Paluan Fajar and the re-hoisting of the Jalur Gemilang, symbolising renewed national strength and remembrance.
Warriors’ Day, observed annually on 31 July, commemorates the heroism and dedication of Malaysia’s security forces in defending the nation’s sovereignty.
In Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah led the state-level Warriors’ Day ceremony at Dataran Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan, accompanied by Raja Muda Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa and Raja Di Hilir Raja Iskandar Dzurkarnain Sultan Idris Shah.
The Sultan was welcomed at 9am by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Western Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Datuk Pahlawan Abdul Halim Shaari, Perak Police Chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin, and Commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade Brigadier General Mohamad Rosli Abu Bakar.
After inspecting a 105-member guard of honour, led by Superintendent Mohd Aster Mohamad, the Last Post was sounded, followed by poetry recitations and the Jalur Gemilang being ceremonially hoisted. The parade featured 408 personnel from the armed forces, police, and veterans' associations.
The morning concluded with a Royal Banquet at the state banquet hall, marking the end of a day of remembrance and national gratitude. - July 31, 2025
