Crowds seen gathering in the late evening at Padang Merdeka in downtown Kota Kinabalu for the Malaysia Day celebrations.
KOTA KINABALU: The streets of Kota Kinabalu are starting to be packed with cars and people as they start coming in droves to Padang Merdeka in downtown Kota Kinabalu here to catch the 55th Malaysia Day celebration on Sunday (Sept 16) night, attended for the first time in years by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Crowds of people could be seen thronging the streets, as they anticipate the arrival of the Prime Minister and other top federal and state leaders, mostly new faces following a change of government after GE14.
This year, a crowd of 30,000 is expected for the Malaysia Day celebrations themed "Sayangi Malaysiaku" (Love Our Malaysia).
Attendees have been entertained by a concert put together by local Sabahan artistes since about 4pm today (Sept 16).
For ease of travel to and from the celebration grounds, free shuttle bus services have been prepared from KK Sentral, the Sabah State Mosque, and the Likas Sports Complex from 4pm to 12.30am.
It is expected that upon arrival of all invited guests and Dr Mahathir, the celebration will start with the singing of the national and Sabah state anthem, followed by a special performance around a theme of patriotism and the multiple cultures of Malaysia.
Later, inspirational speeches on unity and the formation of Malaysia will be delivered by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Dr Mahathir prior to the official launch of the event.
The VIPs will also sign a special Malaysia Day book, while a cake cutting ceremony will be performed by Sabah Head of State (TYT), Tun Juhar Mahiruddin together with his wife Toh Puan Norlidah R.M Jasni.
The crowds will later be entertained by a parade of Jalur Gemilang bearers, who will march into the field to hand the flags over to Dr Mahathir.
Towards the end, crowds will sing along to patriotic songs on the "Sayangi Malaysiaku" theme.
The colourful and music-filled event is expected to end just before midnight.
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