PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia today celebrated its 64th National Day, in a celebration filled with patriotism in the spirit of the Malaysian family.
It is celebrated under the new normal for the second year due to the Covid-19 pandemic at Dataran Pahlawan Negara, here.
Various programmes and performances with elements of patriotism, were held in compliance with standard operating procedures (SOP) with the physical presence of a limited number of people, while others watched virtually.
A video clip of the song Malaysian Family, with lyrics by Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa was screened for the first time as guests, who included Cabinet ministers, arrived for the celebration.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and his wife, Datin Seri Muhaini Zainal Abidin, attended the celebration, themed "Malaysia Prihatin" virtually as he is in quarantine since yesterday after being identified as a close contact of a Covid-19 patient.
The celebration started at 8am with three members of the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) raising the Jalur Gemilang, accompanied by the national anthem.
This was followed by the reading of the Rukun Negara and shouts of "Merdeka" by representatives from various frontline agencies and departments, led by Luqman AlHakim Mohd Tamyes from the Education Ministry.
The celebration continued with a Malaysian Armed Forces drumline performance, involving 60 personnel from its three wings - RMN, Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) and the Armed Forces.
Besides playing patriotic tunes, the band also accompanied a performance by the taekwondo unarmed combat team led by Staff Sergeant Mad Zain Medol, complete with the performance of a spit fire trick where gasoline was spat out from the mouth towards a small fire to produce a large ball of fire.
The performance was followed by a silent march presentation by 60 RMN personnel led by Senior Seaman Mohd Helmi Masuhudi. There was also a band performance by other uniformed bodies, involving 80 members from the Armed Forces, the Police, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Civil Defence Force, Fire and Rescue Department and the People's Voluntary Corps, led by Major Mohd Rizal Mohd Nor.
The highlight of the 2021 National Day celebration was the air show involving RMAF assets. The roaring sounds of the jet fighter engines which reverberated in the air saw guests looking up at the skies of Putrajaya.
Many took the opportunity to snap pictures of the jet fighters.
The formation flight involved assets such as the Sukhoi Su-30MKM, F/A 18D Hornet and the BAE Hawk 108 led by Lt Col Mohd Norazan Othman.
The event ended with the screening of a music video, titled "Menang Bersama" which was composed by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) music director Datuk Mokhzani Ismail, performed by Faizal Tahir, with the guests waving the Jalur Gemilang.
Among the VIPs present were Senior Ministers Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Datuk Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin, Annuar and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.
The event was aired live on TV, as well as the Facebook pages of Merdeka360 and the Communications and Multimedia Ministry using "Mix Reality" technology. --BERNAMA