PUTRAJAYA: Fire! The cry was clearly heard behind the 14 artillery salutes that accompanied the Negaraku anthem and the Malaysian flag-raising ceremony at the 2026 National Day celebration at Dataran Putrajaya here Monday (Aug 31).
Each command demanded precision, timing and discipline from personnel of the 41st Battery of the Royal Artillery Regiment (Ceremonial) from Sungai Buloh Camp, Selangor, to ensure that each round from the 102mm M102 Howitzer was fired according to the prescribed sequence and timing.
Captain Muhammad Zameer Zolkaifli, who led the team, said precision in issuing commands and coordination were essential to ensure all 14 rounds were fired within the stipulated time.
He said the main challenge was that the six cannons were not positioned near him, but about 500m from the celebration site, at a parking area near Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.
"We communicated using special walkie-talkies only. The challenge was, of course, telecommunications interference, but Alhamdulillah, everything was carried out successfully.
"The artillery firing for the flag-raising ceremony and the playing of Negaraku is about one minute and 16 seconds, with each round fired at intervals of five to six seconds," he told Bernama.
The 35-year-old Johor-born officer said this was the second time he had been entrusted with leading the artillery salute for the National Day celebrations, after first being given the responsibility in 2025.
"The first time I was a bit nervous, but this time with the help of my colleagues, everything went smoothly and the weather was also very good. The situation would have been difficult if there had been heavy rain.
"Teamwork is very important, and every member has their own role in ensuring that the artillery firing proceeds smoothly," he said.
Muhammad Zameer said the 41st Battery of the Royal Artillery Regiment (Ceremonial) has ongoing assignments as the team needs to fulfil ceremonial tasks at the state and national levels.
He said that despite the demanding schedule, his team continued to undergo training and rehearsals to ensure every member was fully prepared before carrying out the actual assignment.
"We also trained at unit level, including firing exercises using live ammunition at the previous full rehearsal," he said.
The booming artillery salute accompanying the National Day celebrations each year is among the military traditions that always capture the attention of visitors, alongside the parade and displays of the country's security assets.
Malaysia's King and Queen, Their Majesties Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah, had earlier graced the 69th National Day celebrations at Dataran Putrajaya here Monday.
Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil and Cabinet Ministers.
Themed "Malaysia Madani: Kesejahteraan Dinikmati", this year's celebrations drew more than 80,000 visitors, with 10,819 parade participants from 76 contingents and 22 marching bands. - Bernama
