KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians nationwide thronged the official venues where state-level National Day celebrations were held yesterday.
In Penang, more than 25,000 people flocked to Jalan Padang Kota Lama, George Town, at 7am to witness a parade involving more than 8,000 participants.
Penang Yang di-PertuaDipertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak and his wife, Toh Puan Khadijah Mohd Nor and Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, state leaders and heads of state departments attended the celebration.
In Kedah, more than 35,000 visitors , undeterred by the overcast weather, thronged Dataran Medan Bandar in Alor Star to watch the National Day parade, which was graced by Sultan of Kedah Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah and Sultanah of Kedah Sultanah Maliha.
In Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah and Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Zara Salim, and children Raja Datuk Seri Azlan Muzaffar Shah and Raja Datuk Seri Nazira Safya graced the state-level 2024 National Day celebration at Dewan Bandaran Ipoh.
About 30,000 visitors attended the event. to witness the parade involving 108 contingents with 6,000 participants from government agencies, uniformed bodies, statutory bodies, and those from the private sector as well as university and school students.
In Negri Sembilan, Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and Tuanku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud graced the celebration at the Seremban City Council.
Over 20,000 people from all walks of life, some were seen wearing Jalur Gemilang-themed attire, attended the event to witness the parade involving over 80 contingents with 5,000 participants, including those from the Kelab Kereta Klasik dan Antik Negeri Sembilan as well as Kelab Basikal Tuo Soghomban.In Melaka, more than 50,000 visitors watched an aerial display by the Air Unit of the Fire and Rescue Department, held for the first time to mark this year's state-level National Day celebration in Banda Hilir.
The celebration, attended by the Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam, remained lively with the participation of 8,000 participants from 161 contingents who marched 4.8 km from Padang Dataran Pahlawan to Hang Tuah Stadium despite heavy rain since early morning.
In Johor, 8,000 visitors attended the state celebration at Dataran Segamat.
The parade involved 114 contingents from government agencies, uniformed bodies, schools and higher education institutions.
In Pahang, Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah graced the National Day event in Kuantan.
In Terengganu, Yang Di-Pertuan Muda Tengku Muhammad Ismail Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin graced the celebration in Kuala Terengganu, which was attended by 50,000 people.
The chant of 'Merdeka' and a prayer for the nation's fighters at 7.30 am marked the beginning of the celebration, which was followed by a 1.3 km procession from Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium to Dataran Shahbandar involving 122 contingents.
In Sabah, 185 contingents participated in the National Day and Sabah Day parade in Kota Kinabalu, and witnessed by over 10,000 visitors.
Graced by Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his wife, Toh Puan Norlida RM Jasni, the event was enlivened by a war dance performance by the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Merdeka Jalur Gemilang convoy, a group of food delivery riders, and the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2024.
In Sarawak, Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife, Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, joined more than 10,000 people in a 2.4km Fun Walk programme at 7.30am, starting from Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang in Sibu.