KUALA LUMPUR: Syafinaz Mohamad's wish to have her baby born on National Day came true yesterday when her son, born at 1.23am at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ), became Terengganu's first 'Merdeka baby' this year.
Syafinaz, a 25-year-old housewife from Kampung Kubang Ikan, Chendering, said the boy weighed 3.21 kilogrammes (kg).
"It was already August 31 when they wheeled me into the delivery room. My wish came true when my son was born at 1.23am. His weight, at 3.21 kilos, when reversed translates into his time of birth, 1.23," she said.
What made the occasion all the more special was that her father, Mohamad Abdullah, 69, was also born on National Day.
"And now, his grandson is also a Merdeka baby," she said.
Meanwhile, Normala Zakaria, 32, said doctors had forecast Aug 31 as her delivery date.
"The doctors were spot on as within hours of arriving at the hospital, I gave birth to my daughter at 4am," said the private sector employee, who has two other children.
Terengganu Health Department director Datuk Dr Kasemani Embong said that as of 11am yesterday (Aug 30), the state welcomed 23 Merdeka babies, with 12 boys and 11 girls.
"HSNZ had the most deliveries at 18, followed by three at the Kemaman Hospital, and one each at the Hulu Terengganu and Setiu hospitals," he said.
In Kota Baru, the Raja Perempuan Zainab (HRPZ) II Hospital celebrated 13 Merdeka babies.
Hospital director Dr Izamin Idris said there were five boys and eight girls, with the first being born at 12.14am.
"We congratulate all new mothers for welcoming their children on this historic date, and thank all hospital personnel who helped them," he said.
Meanwhile, the Tunku Azizah Hospital (HTA) in Kuala Lumpur welcomed the birth of 12 Merdeka babies in conjunction with the 67th National Day celebration.
Nine of the babies were boys while the rest were girls.
HTA director, Dr Shamsul Anuar Kamarudin, said the hospital organised a Merdeka Babies Celebration to honour the mothers and babies born on National Day.
The annual programme, he said, is organised by the hospital's Obstetrics and Gyneacology Department.
He said the new mothers received contributions such as baby products and cash vouchers from 11 corporate bodies and non-governmental organisations, including the Health Ministry, Mydin, Pertubuhan Warisan Anak Merdeka and more.