National Day celebrations across the country

KUALA LUMPUR: While the main National Day 2024 celebration was held at Dataran Putrajaya this morning, people from all walks of life across the country did not miss the opportunity to commemorate the historic day with various events nationwide.

According to Bernama, with the theme “Malaysia MADANI: Jiwa Merdeka,” state-level celebrations also showcased the same spirit among local communities, blending traditional practices and cultures from various ethnicities.

In Penang, over 25,000 people filled Jalan Padang Kota Lama, George Town, from 7 a.m. to witness the state-level National Day celebration, featuring 7,190 parade participants and 1,078 vehicle contingent participants.

The event, starting at 8 a.m., was attended by Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak and his wife Toh Puan Khadijah Mohd Nor; Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, state leadership, and heads of departments.

In Kedah, cloudy weather did not deter over 35,000 visitors from flocking to Dataran Medan Bandar, Alor Setar, as early as 5 a.m. to watch the National Day parade and procession, which was graced by the arrival of Sultan Kedah Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah and Sultanah Kedah Sultanah Maliha.

The audience was visibly excited to witness the parade and procession, which included 5,000 participants and an aerial display by the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s F/A-18D Hornet aircraft from Butterworth Air Base, which had previously completed its aerial display in Putrajaya.

In Perak, Sultan Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah and Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim, along with their children Raja Datuk Seri Azlan Muzaffar Shah and Raja Datuk Seri Nazira Safya, attended the state-level National Day celebration at Dewan Bandaran Ipoh this morning.

Approximately 30,000 visitors came to watch the parade, which featured 108 contingents with over 6,000 participants, including 71 parade contingents from government departments, uniformed teams, statutory bodies, private sectors, university students, and schools.

In Negeri Sembilan, Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and Tuanku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud also graced the event, which saw over 20,000 attendees from various community layers at the Seremban City Council grounds from as early as 6 a.m., with some dressed in Jalur Gemilang-themed attire.

More than 80 contingents, involving 5,000 participants, took part in the National Day parade, which was further enlivened by the procession of the Negeri Sembilan Classic and Antique Car Club and the Tuo Soghomban Bicycle Club.

In Melaka, over 50,000 visitors were thrilled to watch the first-ever aerial display by the Malaysia Fire and Rescue Department’s Air Unit, held as part of the state-level National Day celebrations at Persiaran Jalan Merdeka Banda Hilir.

Despite heavy rain since early morning, the celebration, attended by Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam, was lively, featuring 8,000 participants from 161 contingents parading over 4.8 kilometers from Padang Dataran Pahlawan to Hang Tuah Stadium.

In Johor, the state-level National Day 2024 celebration at Dataran Segamat was attended by around 8,000 people, witnessing a parade involving 114 contingents from various government agencies, uniformed bodies, schools, higher education institutions, and various vehicles.

In Pahang, Sultan Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah attended the National Day 2024 celebration at Padang Majlis Bandaraya Kuantan (MBK) 1, alongside 65,000 people from the state.

The event featured uniformed team parades, patriotic song performances, dances by the Department of Arts and Culture Malaysia (JKKN), a demonstration by the 4th Brigade Assault Team, and was enhanced by the presence of six Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jets from No.12 Squadron, Gong Kedak Air Base, performing a flyover in the Kuantan airspace.

The 67th National Day celebration in Terengganu at Dataran Shahbandar, Kuala Terengganu, was graced by the arrival of Yang di-Pertuan Muda Terengganu Tengku Muhammad Ismail Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, and attracted around 50,000 visitors.

The event started at 7:30 a.m. with a “Merdeka” chant and prayers for independence fighters, followed by a parade of 122 contingents covering 1.3 kilometers from Stadium Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah (SSINS) to Dataran Shahbandar.

In Sabah, 185 contingents participated in the National Day and Sabah Day 2024 parade held on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Kota Kinabalu, observed by over 10,000 visitors who gathered as early as 6 a.m.

The event, attended by Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his wife Toh Puan Norlida RM Jasni, was enlivened by a “war dance” by the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Jalur Gemilang Merdeka convoy, Grab food delivery motorbikes, and Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2024.

In Sarawak, Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi joined over 10,000 people in a 2.4-kilometer walkathon as part of the state-level National Day 2024 celebration in Sibu.

The walkathon, starting from Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang at 7:30 a.m., was further energized with aerobics activities and a lucky draw offering 40 exciting prizes.