KUALA LUMPUR – The National Day Eve celebrations across the country were lively with crowds gathered in several locations to usher in Merdeka.
Prior to that, various programmes including stage performances and religious forums focused on empowering the spirit of patriotism and love for the country were held.
At the stroke of midnight, skies in several locations were lit up by fireworks, with visitors chanting “Merdeka” enthusiastically.
Bernama did not miss out on the celebration, organising its Grand Stand Ambang 31@Bernama event at Wisma Bernama, which was also attended by the national news agency’s chief Roslan Ariffin and editor-in-chief Jamaluddin Muhammad as well as Bernama staff and their family members.
The fireworks show and the performance of D’Parawood, which is Band 10 of the Para Brigade, were among the highlights of the celebration, in addition to the Merdeka karaoke and recitation of patriotic poems and a choir performance from students of SMK Kepong Baru.
Meanwhile, Dataran Merdeka was thronged by about 15,000 visitors who chanted “Merdeka” seven times at the stroke of midnight, followed by the singing of Negaraku.
A five-minute fireworks show then lit up the capital’s sky, accompanied by the famous song Tanggal 31 Ogos, originally sung by the late Datuk Sudirman Arshad.
At KLCC, visitors were mesmerised by the light show held at the Petronas Twin Towers while those in KLCC Park were graced with a rhythmic light-and-fountain show followed by a fireworks display at midnight.
In Putrajaya, religious affairs minister Datuk Mohd Na’im Mokhtar joined a congregation of over 2,000 for Maghrib prayers, solat hajat and doa selamat led by the imam of the Putra Mosque, Abdul Karim Zakaria, at the Ambang Merdeka Forum organised by the Islamic Development Department, or Jakim, tonight.
Na’im in his speech said Muslims should be role models, highlight the nature of mercy, get rid of bigotry and translate the application of Fiqh Taáyush (co-existence) in daily life, to inculcate harmony within the nation’s pluralistic society.
In Selangor, the state-level National Day celebration was lively with the presence of about 20,000 people at Dataran Kemerdekaan Shah Alam, attended by Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari and the state government leadership.
The celebration began at about 4.45pm with the recitation of salawat and prayers led by Habib Ali Zaenal Abidin, followed by a parade comprising 66 contingents, which included government departments, those from the private sector, school bands and special performances by uniformed personnel.
Amirudin also presented a special donation to the Selangor Armed Forces Veterans Association and the Selangor Ex-Police Association in addition to presenting the Selangor Independence Figure Award to the late Lt Adnan Saidi.
In Melaka, celebrations at Ayer Keroh Square here tonight were graced with a 24 Season drum performance by students of SJK(C) Yok Bin.
Earlier, more than 30,000 visitors, who began to gather at the square at 6pm, were treated to various performances, among them poetry recitations by school students and songs sung by Datuk Wan Aishah Wan Arifiin.
In Johor, about 2,500 locals participated in the Yassin and Tahlil recitation programme ahead of the celebrations held at the Jamek Al-Falah Mosque in Simpang Renggam, Kluang.
The ceremony, which was officiated by Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and broadcast live via the Johor Islamic Religious Affairs Department’s Facebook page, began with congregational Maghrib prayers.
In Perak, the state-level celebration held at the Sultan Azlan Shah Roundabout in Meru began at 8pm, with about 10,000 people gathered.
The celebration, which was also attended by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and the state government’s exco line-up, featured dance performances, skits, poetry recitations, choirs, and songs by popular celebrities such as Haziq and Black Hanafiah.
In Kedah, the Merdeka eve celebration held at Tasik Darulaman, Jitra tonight was lively, with Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor also present.
The public was also entertained with performances including martial arts and dances by the Malay, Chinese and Siamese communities as well as the recitation of the poem Tanah Air and a singing performance by Ameng from the band Spring.
In Kelantan, more than 5,000 visitors gathered at the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Baru to witness 66 contingents taking part in the parade involving 2,310 participants.
Menteri Besar Datuk Nassuruddin Daud in his speech called on the people of Kelantan to maintain the blessings of independence by living harmoniously in a multiracial community and having mutual respect for each other.
In Terengganu, the celebration held at Dataran Muara Utara of the Drawbridge in Kuala Terengganu began with a National Day-themed forum, followed by a string of patriotic songs sung by guest artistes.
Just before midnight, members of the 512 Territorial Army Regiment marched in carrying the Jalur Gemilang and the national flag was handed over by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar to the Royal Malaysian Navy Reserve Force.
In Sarawak, thousands of locals gathered at Dataran Pehin Setia Raja in Mukah, tonight for the Merdeka eve celebration and were treated to performances by local Sarawakian artistes.
Also taking the stage were the Sri Ritma Borneo Mukah Dance Group, Sarawak P. Ramlee Fan Club and the Sarawak State Symphony Orchestra.
The state’s Women’s Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, who is also minister responsible for the National Day celebrations in Sarawak this year, was present at the event. – Bernama, August 31, 2023
