National Day: Overwhelming crowd at Dataran Merdeka

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Day parade made a triumphant comeback to Dataran Merdeka here Wednesday (Aug 31) after a two-year hiatus, with more than 100,000 visitors estimated to have joined in the celebrations.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said the overwhelming response from Malaysians far surpassed initial expectations.

He also said the parades and performances ran smoothly, with over 20,000 participants taking part in the show.

"It has been two years since this event was held. There was an overwhelming response from the people, who gathered here even as early as the night before the parade.

"The feel-good factor and the Malaysian Family-themed celebration received great response from the people.

"I think maybe there were 100,000 visitors watching the parade, maybe even hundreds of thousands as there was no empty space at all.

"Everything ran smoothly even though there was a little congestion due to the unexpected crowd," Annuar told reporters after the celebrations.

Annuar said Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah also conveyed their appreciation and amazement in watching the performances put on by the participants.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and his wife Datin Seri Muhaini Zainal Abidin also conveyed the same, said Annuar.

National Day 2022 themed "Malaysian Family Strong Together" was celebrated on a large scale from 7am.