PM joins thousands of Malaysians for National Day parade

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak Tun Razak joined thousands of Malaysians for the 59th National Day celebration at Dataran Merdeka.

Najib and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, arrived at 7.54am, Wednesday for the celebration themed Malaysia: One Heart, One Soul (Sehati, Sejiwa).

The National Day parade began at 8.10am after the arrival of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah.

Shortly after his arrival, Tuanku Abdul Halim inspected a guard-of-honour of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment.

This was followed by the raising of the Jalur Gemilang, accompanied by the singing of the Negaraku.

Immediately after, there was a 14-gun salute by the 41st Battery of the Royal Artillery Regiment.

Among those present at the parade were former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Transport Minister and MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, cabinet ministers, and foreign dignitaries.