Head of State Tun Haji Juhar Haji Mahiruddin (front row, fourth right) and his consort, Toh Puan Hajah Norlidah Tan Sri R.M. Jasni accompanied by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman (front row, fifth right) and his wife, Datin Seri Panglima Hajah Faridah Haji Tussin attended the State-level National Day parade and celebrations at City Square, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.
KOTA KINABALU: A huge crowd assembled along the Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens here yesterady morning to witness the Sabah State-level Merdeka Day celebration.
A total of 178 contingents comprising of primary schools, secondary schools, higher learning institutes, commercial and private bodies, government departments, bands, vehicles and support categories took part in the colourful event.
The event was graced by the Head of State, Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Haji Juhar Datuk Mahiruddin who was accompanied by his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Seri Panglima Norlidah Tan Sri Datuk RM Jasni.
Also present were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman and his wife, Datin Seri Panglima Datuk Faridah Tussin, along with the deputy chief ministers, state secretary, ministers and assistant ministers.
The walk past started at approximately 8am with the Jalur Gemilang parade by the ground troops followed by the state flag parade by the navy and then the parade of all the other states’ flags and lastly, the 2015 Merdeka theme flag parade.
The contingent parade commenced after that and this was followed by the parade of vehicles. There was also a fly pass by the Royal Malaysia Air Force, Royal Malaysian Police, Fire and Rescue Department and Sabah Air. In addition, there was a special performance depicting the June 5 earthquake during the event.
One of the foreign guests at the event was Bruno Varounaud who was accompanied by his wife, Laure and their children.
This was the first national day celebration in a foreign land for the Frenchman.
“We live quite far from Paris where the celebration takes place every July 14. So this is our first national day celebration,” he said.
Bruno added he had been here since February this year and found the people of Sabah friendly.
Nevertheless, they still have to grow accustomed to the local culture and the food.
Mariko Uruhsihara, a Japanese tutor, was at the event to give her support to 40 of her students from Tenom.
She exclaimed that she was elated to partake in the event and found similarities in how the national day was celebrated here and in her own country.
Local Junaydie Sihan said the event provided an avenue for people to assemble together and forge stronger ties with one another.