KOTA KINABALU: About 10,000 people from 257 contingents representing government agencies, NGOs and students yesterday took part in a parade at the Likas Sports Complex as Sabahans joined fellow Malaysians in showing patriotic spirit in the 56th Merdeka Day celebration.
Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman led the state government leaders and community chiefs in attending the joyous event that saw 25 units of hardware belonging to the Police, Armed Forces, Fire and Rescue Department and Civil Defence department being displayed.
On the eve of Merdeka Day, a 12-car float parade from government agencies and non-governmental agencies took part in a procession while 700 students from the primary to tertiary level participated in a lantern festival at Dataran Bandaraya.
Contingents from the Sabah Water Department and Kota Kinabalu City Hall defended their titles in the march past competition during the Merdeka Parade yesterday. The teams won under the non-uniformed government body category and uniformed government body category respectively.
Contingents from the Inland Revenue Board and Sabah Federal Integrated Departments were the first and second runner-up in the non-uniformed government body category.
Four other contingents received the consolation prizes, namely Public Works Department, Sabah Parks, Fisheries Department and Local Government and Housing Ministry.
In the uniformed government body category, the second spot went to Malaysian Royal Customs Department and third to Sabah Federal Special Task Force.
In the private sector category, Kumpulan Yayasan Sabah took the top spot, while Petronas and Yayasan Usaha Maju (YUM) were placed second and third respectively.
The Komander Kesatria Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sabah was the best in the Higher Learning Institution category, followed by the Gaya Teachers Training College and Kimanis Training Centre in second and third spots respectively.
SMK Perempuan Likas was the best in the Secondary School category, while SM All Saints Police Cadets and SMK Agama Tun Ahmadshah Inanam were second and third best respectively.
Sekolah Kebangsaan St Francis was the champion in the Primary School category, with SK Sri Gaya Scouts and SK Sri Gaya at second and third spots respectively.
Under the Association Category, the Sabah Information Department’s 1Malaysia Club emerged as the champion, while Sabah Bumiputera Hawkers Association was second and Sabah Brunei Community Association third.
Other categories included band march for both departments and schools, vehicles and supporting contingents.
The winners received the prizes from Special Tasks Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang.
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