By: Sharika Tasnim
Edited by: Alissya Nazir
A large crowd gathered at Dataran Putrajaya last night ahead of the National Day celebration in Putrajaya. Credit: NSTP/Eizairi Shamsudin
PUTRAJAYA, 4th September 2024: Eager Malaysians began gathering at Dataran Putrajaya as early as midnight, determined to secure the best spots for the highly anticipated 2024 National Day parade. The event, themed "Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka," saw thousands of people flock to the administrative capital to celebrate the country's 67th Independence Day.
Thousands of people flock to the administrative capital to celebrate the country's 67th Independence Day | Credit: The Star
Among the early arrivals was Farhan Ismail, 26, from Johor, who, along with his friends, braved the midnight traffic to experience the festivities up close. "We got here around midnight. Traffic was a bit of a challenge — everyone seemed to be heading to Putrajaya, and Google Maps wasn't registering some of the road closures. But that just shows how excited everyone is for this day," Farhan told the New Straits Times.
The celebration officially kicked off at 7 a.m., but the hours leading up to it were filled with excitement. Farhan and his friends spent the early morning exploring Dataran Putrajaya, grabbing snacks from food trucks, and soaking in the atmosphere. Farhan, from a family of law enforcers, was particularly eager to see the national security contingent in action.
This year's National Day parade featured an estimated 17,000 participants, including 57 contingents, 25 marching bands, 112 live assets, and 479 national assets. The parade also included an impressive aerial display and a 30-minute performance involving thousands of participants in a large-scale choreographed dance.
This year's National Day parade featured an estimated 17,000 participants, including 57 contingents, 25 marching bands, 112 live assets, and 479 national assets | Credit:Umno Malaysia
Putrajaya was chosen as the venue for the National Day celebrations for the sixth time, having previously hosted the event in 2003, 2005, 2018, 2019, and 2023. As the night turned into dawn, the crowd grew larger, with their enthusiasm undiminished despite the long wait. The eve of National Day was marked by fireworks displays at various locations, with cries of "Merdeka" echoing across the country.
The grand parade at Dataran Putrajaya featured the Malaysian Madani Community Contingent | Credit: The Star
Local food vendor Ruhayah Abu Bakar, 63, from Terengganu, noted that Putrajaya never fails to attract huge crowds during National Day celebrations. "I have stayed here (Putrajaya) since 2002 and began selling food 11 years ago. The celebration will always attract a large crowd. I am grateful for it because they visit my stall for snacks and drinks. I can say that this year is as lively, if not, more than last year," she shared.
The celebration marked Sultan Ibrahim’s first attendance at the National Day since he was sworn in as the 17th King of Malaysia in July and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was also present. | Credit: The Star
The grand parade at Dataran Putrajaya featured the Malaysian Madani Community Contingent, led by the National Unity Ministry, which was the longest contingent in the parade with 800 participants. Other contingents included the Wellbeing and Security Contingent, the Nationhood Contingent, the Kembara Merdeka Jalur Gemilang (KMJG) Contingent, the Government-Linked Companies (GLC) and Government-Linked Investment Companies (GLIC) Contingent, the Creative Industry and Broadcasting Contingent, and the National Sports Contingent.
As the celebrations came to a close, the pride and unity of Malaysians were clearly on display, reflecting the spirit of "Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka." —TBC
Comments