PUTRAJAYA: The full rehearsal for the 2024 Warriors' Day parade, organised by the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), proceeded smoothly at Dataran Pahlawan Negara, ahead of the main event on Wednesday (July 31).
Despite a delay of about an hour and 15 minutes due to heavy rain, the parade participants maintained their momentum and warrior spirit to ensure the rehearsal resumed around 9.15am without any hitches.
The parade comprised 18 officers and 677 personnel of other ranks from the MAF and the Royal Malaysia Police, led by Lt Col Abang Raduan Abang Madihi from the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
There were also participants from the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association and the Malaysian Ex-Police Association.
The His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, are scheduled to attend the parade on the day.
Also scheduled to be present are Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Ministers Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Warriors' Day celebration is one of the government's initiatives to recognise and honour the sacrifices of the nation's heroes who laid down their lives defending the country's sovereignty.
It is held to commemorate the struggles and sacrifices of national security personnel for the prosperity and sovereignty of the nation.
Since 1968, the event has been alternately organised by the MAF and the police.
This year, the celebration features a pantomime performance titled Op Subuh and the recital of the poem Jenalik Berdarah.
The venue of the ceremony used to be Tugu Negara in Kuala Lumpur, but it has been held at Dataran Pahlawan since 2010. – Bernama
