KUALA LUMPUR: It was like flipping the pages of a history book, beginning with the country’s independence on Aug 31, 1957, the country’s 60-year history was presented in a very special and nostalgic manner at the 2017 National Day celebration at Dataran Merdeka yesterday.
Witnessed by tens of thousands of people who gathered at the square and Malaysians watching the event which was broadcast live by local television stations, this year’s celebration featured moments how the country is built with challenges overcome together and sharing of power by the children of Malaysian.
Malaysia’s journey under six prime ministers was re-enacted, chapter by chapter from a newly independent country to one of a developed nation.
In line with the theme of the celebration ‘Negaraku Sehati Sejiwa’ (MyCountry Oneheart One soul), the spirit of solidarity, understanding and togetherness not only showed on the faces of the country leaders, but also the participants and the large crowd that gathered at the location since 6 am.
The celebration which began at 8 am was attended by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak , Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as well as leaders from various background in the country.
For this celebration, the Merdeka Stadium – which witnessed the declaration of Independence of Malaya by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj on Aug 31, 1957, was re-enacted at Dataran Merdeka, hence, allowing participants and spectators to feel as if they were at the stadium on that historic day.
Dataran Merdeka was also transformed back into the year 1957 by featuring the life during the era, including in terms of look, style and dressing of the people then, and vehicles.
The historic shouts of ‘Merdeka’ that roared in the stadium seven times by the Father of Independence was also played-back with the special appearance of Prime Minister Najib clad in a special yellow khaki uniform.
A few individuals were specially brought to Dataran Merdeka for this year’s celebration, and they included two retirees of the Royal Malaysian Navy who were tasked to raise the Malaysia flag for the first time, Lt Commander (Rtd) Mohd Sharif Kalam and Warrant Officer 1 Commander (Rtd) Oliver Culvelt Samuel.
Another was Rusnah Aksah, the 12-year-old girl who was tasked to release 101 pigeons at Merdeka Stadium on Sept 16, 1963, in conjunction with the declaration on the formation of Malaysia.
However, at this event, Rusnah, 66, released 60 pigeons to symbolise the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence.
Specially invited were also the next-of kin of the country freedom fighters who included Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun V T Sambanthan, Tun Juggah anak Barieng and Tun Datu Mustapha Datu Harun.
To enliven the celebration, the organiser, which is the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia, provided 15 giant LED screens (5 metre x 3 metre) along Jalan Raja Laut for the public to watch the performance at Dataran Merdeka.
For the first time, the public were yesterday introduced to the ‘F Team’, a special unit formed in 1971 to eliminate the communist threat and dissolved in May 1995, through a special performance by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
The 10 minute-performance received a loud applause from spectators to the unsung heroes. — Bernama