PUTRAJAYA: The Johor Military Forces (JMF) will take part in this year’s National Day parade with a 100-strong team and its own assets, one of several new features of the Aug 31 celebration at Dataran Putrajaya, says Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister said the JMF’s participation was among the elements setting this year’s celebration apart.
“One of what I think may be different this year is that we also have the JMF team from Johor, the Johor Military Forces.
“They will take part with assets and a team of 100,” he said.
Fahmi was speaking to reporters after the first on-site training session for the human graphics performance, which will involve 1,500 students.
He said another change this year was that military and police assets would be displayed statically at Dataran Floria, the monument and Dataran Aman, letting visitors view them up close instead of waiting by the roadside.
On sponsorship, Fahmi said the number of sponsors had risen to 139 this year, with contributions up 118% from last year.
He said much of it would go towards the public rather than the performers, including food and products to be distributed early on Aug 31.
Fahmi said the 1,500 pupils, drawn from 36 schools across Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, were on the ground for the first time, with less than a week to go.
Full dress rehearsals will be held on Friday (Aug 28) and Saturday (Aug 29), and Fahmi invited the public to watch on Saturday.
Sunday (Aug 30) is a rest day for participants before the celebration on Aug 31.
He said preparations were more than 70% complete and expected to reach 80% to 90% within days, with the tiered stands and the Royal Box still being finished.
Fahmi also said organisers were drawing up health SOPs in case of haze, to be finalised with the Meteorological Department and the Health Ministry and announced soon.
For those heading to Dataran Putrajaya, he said the MRT would run 24 hours on Aug 30 and 31, while free water taxis would again be offered for a third year.
Over 80,000 visitors are expected to attend the National Day celebration in Dataran Putrajaya in Aug 31.
