Spirit of unity, patriotism at National Day do

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians from all walks of life displayed the spirit of unity and patriotism in celebrating National Day 2015 yesterday.

The celebration, carrying the theme ‘Of One Heart, One Soul’, drew the participation of hundreds of thousands of Malaysians of all races and religions at the celebration venues nationwide.

At Dataran Merdeka in the federal capital, thousands of people, including foreign tourists, took the opportunity to watch the National Day parade put up by almost 13,000 participants from various contingents comprising members of the public and private sectors as well as students and members of the security forces.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Hajah Haminah, led the dignitaries who watched the parade.

Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and wife Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis as well as Cabinet ministers and foreign dignitaries.

In Perak, the National Day celebration began at 8am, with about 10,000 people witnessing the procession and parade in front of Dewan Bandaran at Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab in Ipoh.

The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah and the Raja Permaisuri of Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim were present to witness the celebrations together with Perak Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and wife, Datin Seri Saripah Zulkipli.

A total of 114 contingents comprising 6,500 participants from government departments, schools, uniformed staff and non-governmental organisations took part in the parade.

In Seremban (Negeri Sembilan), 118 contingents with 11,000 participants from various government departments and agencies, uniformed staff, Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, schools and non-governmental organisations put up the procession for the 58th National Day state-level celebration at Jalan Yam Tuan (in front of the Seremban Municipality building) here.

The procession was a gallant show of the Malaysian Armed Forces assets and staff of the Royal Malaysian Police, Fire and Rescue Department, Works Department and the Road Transport Department, apart from a war dance demonstration by 1,058 members of the Malaysian 1st Brigade Infantry at Rasah Camp.

In Melaka, the Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron with state executive councillors and about 1,000 people witnessed the 2015 National Day procession in front of the Independence Memorial in Bandar Hilir here this morning.

A total of 8,798 participants from 209 contingents from government departments, private sector, institutions of higher learning and other organisations put up a colourful display, as well as music by several bands taking part.

In Penang, the parade and procession, held on a moderate scale in front of the Seberang Perai Municipality Council (MPSP) building in Bandar Perda was attended by about 5,000 people.

A total of 4,000 participants from 74 contingents involving government agencies, private sector, non-governmental organisations, institutions of higher learning and schoolchildren, as well as 236 vehicles took part in the state-level 2015 National Day parade.

Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas and wife, Toh Puan Majimor Shariff, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and state exco members witnessed the celebration which began at 9am.

In Kedah, the celebration held at Dataran Balai Besar was attended by Sultan Kedah Regency Council chairman Tan Sri Tunku Sallehuddin Almarhum Sultan Badlishah.

Also present were members of the Regency Council, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Mahathir, state executive councillors and senior government officers, as well as state police chief Datuk Zamri Yahya.

In Kelantan, the 2015 National Day was celebrated on a moderate scale with 2,077 participants represented by 67 contingents comprising federal and state governnment agencies, as well as 500 students of the Bachok National Youth Skills Institute here yesterday.

The event officiated by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob began at 8.40am and ended about an hour later. It was also attended by Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.

The highlights of the celebration was a procession of 58 national flags and 58 state flags to symbolise 58 years of the country’s independence this year, by security agencies as well as a poetry declamation and a demonstration by four paramotor riders of the Kelantan Paramotor Association.

In Kota Kinabalu (Sabah), a special demonstration of the earthquake and parade by 130 contingents attracted more than 10,000 spectators in the Sabah state-level National Day celebration in Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens.

The demonstration by 200 schoolchildren was performed before Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and wife, Toh Puan Norlidah RM Jasni, as well as the Sabah cabinet.

On June 5, Sabah was jolted by a 5.9 magnitude earthquake which took 18 lives on Mount Kinabalu,

Meanwhile in Tawau, a total of 89 contingents joined the one-kilometre long procession which was attended by Tawau MP Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching, who is also higher education deputy minister.

In Sarawak, more than 3,000 participants from 65 contingents representing various government agencies and departments, as well as associations joined the celebration which began at 8am, with more than 5,000 people present to witness the parade.

The Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem  as well as state Cabinet ministers, heads of departments and community heads also attended the ceremony yesterday morning.

In Johor, the National Day was celebrated in full patriotic gusto at the Johor Baharu City Council (MBJB) Square in Johor Baharu, with a procession and march past comprising various agencies.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, State Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohamad Aziz and State Secretary Datuk Ismail Karim received the salute from 93 contingents from various government departments and agencies, the private sector, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGO).

The parade was followed by the singing of ‘Bangsa Johor, a national flag raising ceremony, pledge-taking ceremony, a poetry declamation and ended with the singing of patriotic songs ‘Jalur Gemilang’ and ‘Tanggal 31’ and cries of ‘Merdeka’.

In Pahang, about 10,000 participants from 141 contingents joined the state-level 58th National Day parade at Padang Kemunting, Kuantan.

The Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and the Tengku Puan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, as well as their children and Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, 2015 National Day state coordination chairman, Datuk Abu Bakar Harun and state leaders attended the ceremony.

In Perlis, the state-level National Day celebration held at the compound of Merdeka Square in Kangar was witnessed by almost 10,000 people despite an early morning shower.

Eighty-seven contingents representing government departments and agencies, private sector, non-governmental organisations took part in the parade which was witnessed by the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail.

Also present were the Raja Perempuan of Perlis, Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid, the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, as well as Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man and wife, Datin Seri Nor Aswana Omar.

In Terengganu, 147 contingents comprising 4,250 people from government agencies, statutory bodies, private sector and schoolchildren joined the state-level National Day celebration at Batu Buruk Square, Kuala Terengganu.  – Bernama