PUTRAJAYA: The 2024 National Day celebration was a vibrant display of unity and patriotism, with over 100,000 people gathering at Dataran Putrajaya, waving the Jalur Gemilang in a grand show of national pride.
With the theme "Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka", the event featured 13,009 participants in performances and parades, 112 service animals, and 439 land and air assets from various agencies.
Dignitaries, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and both Deputy Prime Ministers, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, attended the celebration.
The official proceedings began around 8am with the arrival of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia.
This was followed by a flypast of five helicopters carrying the Jalur Gemilang and a 14-gun salute symbolising Malaysia's 14 states.
The national anthem, Negaraku, was played as the flag was raised, followed by the recitation of the Rukun Negara pledge, led by Corporal Mohd Khairul Azhar Abbi Paisa, the hero of the Ulu Tiram Police Station shooting incident in Johor, alongside 66 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris.
The parade featured national contingents, government representatives, the "Kembara Merdeka" convoy, and units responsible for public order and national security.
A standout was the 100 cadets from the National Defence University Malaysia, carrying a giant 80-by-40 foot Jalur Gemilang.
A unique element was the Malaysia Madani Community Contingent, the longest in the parade, dressed in full ethnic attire with accessories representing the nation's rich cultural diversity.
The parade also highlighted national security and defence assets from the fire department, the Malaysian Armed Forces, the police, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
The crowd was particularly thrilled by the air show from the Royal Malaysian Air Force, featuring five Sukhoi SU-30MKM fighter jets, F-18D Hornets, and Hawk MK 208 aircraft.
The event also showcased a symbolic performance by the National Department for Culture and Arts with their "Cuci Rasuah" dance, representing the government's commitment, under Anwar's leadership, to combat corruption and strengthen governance.