PUTRAJAYA – Malaysia marked its 67th National Day on August 31 with a grand parade in Putrajaya, drawing thousands of spectators who enjoyed dynamic performances and a display of the nation’s defense assets.
The celebration began at 8 a.m. with the arrival of Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar and Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah at Dataran Putrajaya. In a personal touch, Sultan Ibrahim drove his private car to the event, with Queen Raja Zarith in the passenger seat. This event marked Sultan Ibrahim’s first National Day attendance since his swearing-in as Malaysia’s king in July.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail arrived shortly before 8 a.m., joined by Deputy Prime Ministers Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Fadillah Yusof, who were accompanied by their spouses.
The parade featured more than 13,000 participants, including performances by 25 bands and three drumming teams. The crowd enthusiastically cheered the performances, waving flags in celebration. A highlight of the event was an airshow by the Royal Malaysian Air Force, with jets soaring across the sky, their engines’ roar captivating the audience.
For the first time, the Chingay procession was featured in the parade, showcasing a spectacular display of balancing a giant flag, complemented by vibrant lion and dragon dances.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised the parade as “one of the best” national day celebrations he had witnessed, according to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil. Fahmi added that both Cabinet ministers and the public expressed their satisfaction with the 2024 celebrations.
The event was attended by over 100,000 people, including student Aina Laili Asyiqin Abdul Shafri, 22, who shared her excitement about watching the parade live for the first time. “This is my first time coming to the parade, and I’m very happy and excited,” she said.