PUTRAJAYA: As the designated seats for spectators are filled, many Malaysians are also seen sitting along the Dataran Putrajaya here, eagerly awaiting the National Day Celebration 2024.
Checks on the site show that many are camping from as early as 12am to take the best spots to witness the parade despite the once-a-year show only starting at 8am.
By the wee hours of 5am, traffic is heavy in the administrative capital, with roads lined with parked cars.
Food and drinks vendors had started operating even from last night, and the crowds were spotted walking on pedestrian walkways from as far as a kilometre away from the event venue.
This year’s event will also mark the first National Day celebration attended by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia.
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With the theme Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka, more than 13,000 participants from 10 categories, consisting of contingents from both public and private agencies, will march down the four-kilometre boulevard.
Lion and dragon dance will make its debut performance at the parade alongside Malaysia Madani Community Contingent—showcasing a parade of diverse ethnics from the peninsular as well as Sabah and Sarawak—and a “Cuci Rasuah”, choreography using broomsticks and dustbins, among other things.
Among the eagerly awaited performances are spectacular airshows, a fire show by the armed forces, the K9 unit, and the famous “abang Bomba”.
Sales assistant Nur Hidayah Ismail said she came from Klang at 2am to ensure she got the perfect viewing spot.
"This is my third time attending the Merdeka parade, and I have learnt to come as early as I can," said the mother of two daughters.
M. Yogeswary said she decided to come after seeing the viral videos of rehearsals for the event over the past few days.
“It looked intriguing. I want to witness the joyous event myself, along with my fellow Malaysians,” she said.
This is the sixth time that Putrajaya is hosting the National Day celebrations, its previous times were in 2003, 2005, 2018, 2019 and 2023.
