Women army personnel marching during the National Day parade in Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.
PETALING JAYA: The National Day celebration was no less joyous in the states with the people turning up in droves to catch the event.
In George Town, the Penang state-level National Day parade saw a massive crowd of about 20,000 people.
From as early as 7.30am, thousands of people had gathered at the Esplanade to grab the perfect spot for the spectacle.
Shahira Johari, 23, and her three sisters wore matching T-shirts with the independence day theme for the occasion.
“We came on motorcycles from Bukit Mertajam on the mainland and arrived here at about 6.30am as we did not want to miss the parade.
“My family would often come to celebrate National Day before the Covid-19 pandemic.
“After two years, I made sure the whole family came to the event this time,” said Shahira, who works as a school bus driver.
Teacher Hasdhatul Nor Faezah Md Said, 32, said she took the opportunity to bring her five-year-old son Aidan Rizki Abdul Rahman to the event to teach him about the importance of patriotism.
“I feel the need to instil the spirit of patriotism in him now so that when he grows up, he would know how to appreciate our country’s independence,” she said, describing this year’s celebration to be significant after two years of Covid-19 restrictions.
To make sure they did not miss out on the parade, civil servant Ahmad Fauzi Mazlan, 45, and his wife Siti Nurain Shahida Hassan, 33, came a day early.
“We came from Kuala Juru on the mainland on Tuesday and booked a hotel room because we did not want to get stuck in a traffic jam today (yesterday),” he said.
The parade started at about 9.05am with participation from 108 contingents.
In Iskandar Puteri, the Johor state-level National Day celebration began with a parade starting at 7.30am with participation from 131 contingents. Among the 6,000 people who came for the parade was mother of three Amirah Mohd Yusof, who brought her children to experience the celebration after two years of restrictions.
The 35-year-old said she got ready Jalur Gemilang-themed clothes for her children two months ago, spending about RM400.
“We woke up around 5am and arrived here at 6am. They were so eager to be part of this because this is their first time seeing such a parade,” she said.
Nor Hashibah Muhammad Noor, 32, said she wanted her children to see the various traditional clothes such as saree, cheongsam and batik that represented the country’s multiracial background.
“Rather than just watching the parade on TV, it is better they come here and experience how National Day is celebrated,” she said, adding that she wanted her children to grow up loving the diverse cultures of Malaysia.
For 49-year-old Michelle Wong, the celebrations have shown how much Malaysians missed being with each other.
“The pandemic has taught us how important it is for us as Malaysians to work together in unity and to remain strong during difficult times,” she said.
In Ipoh, thousands lined Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab in front of the Town Hall building to watch the Perak state-level parade.
A total of 95 contingents representing schools, uniformed bodies, government agencies, private companies and NGOs took part in the event.
Participants marched from Ipoh Padang to the grandstand in front of Town Hall as they saluted the guests of honour.
More photos
The PDRM K9 unit taking part in the parade at Dataran Merdeka.
People cheering as the contingent of the armoured combat vehicle AV8 Gempita (Thunder) of the Malaysian Army passes by during the state-level National Day celebration at the Esplanade in George Town, Penang.
