PUTRAJAYA: The 2024 National Day began with light rain at Dataran Putrajaya, but that did not dampen the spirits of thousands of Malaysians who gathered to celebrate the country's 67th independence.
The parade commenced with the arrival of national leaders, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, at 7.50am.
The event officially started with the arrival of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, at 8am.
The national anthem, "Negaraku," was played as the Jalur Gemilang was raised.
This was followed by a flypast of five helicopters carrying the Jalur Gemilang and a 14-gun salute
representing Malaysia's 14 states.
The ceremony continued with the recitation of the Rukun Negara pledge led by Corporal Mohd Khairul Azhar Abbi Paisa, the hero who thwarted the intruders at the Ulu Tiram police station in May.
This year's National Day celebrations, themed "Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka", highlighted the spirit of unity and independence.
The event features approximately 17,000 participants, including 57 contingents, 25 marching bands, 112 live assets, and 479 national assets, as well as a spectacular aerial display.
Putrajaya, the Federal Government's administrative centre, is once again chosen as the venue for the National Day celebrations, following previous celebrations in 2003, 2005, 2018, 2019, and 2023.