ALOR STAR: After a two-year of hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the state-level Merdeka Parade saw 20,000 people flocking to Dataran Medan Bandar here today to celebrate the 65th National Day anniversary.
People dressed in red, white, blue and yellow began arriving at the state capital's city square as early as 7am to celebrate and witness the parade.
The event was graced by Sultan of Kedah Sultan Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehudin Sultan Badlishah and Sultanah Maliha Tengku Arif.
Other royal dignitaries at the event were Tunku Temenggong Kedah Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Sultan Abdul Halim, Tunku Bendahara Kedah Tunku Abdul Hamid Thani Sultan Badlishah and Tunku Laksamana Kedah Datuk Seri Diraja Tunku Shazuddin Ariff Sultan Sallehuddin.
Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and wife, Tok Puan Jusmalailani Jusoh.
The celebration kicked off with the inspection of the guard of honour by Sultan Sallehudin followed by a choir, among other performances.
About 6,000 participants forming 115 contingents representing various government and private agencies, as well as non-government organisations took part in the parade.