National Day showed Msian unity flying high

PUTRAJAYA: The annual National Day celebration is a reminder of our forefathers’ struggles, and one which has inspired people of all races to remain humble and united.

This year’s celebration was no different, except for the government’s reminder to citizens to stay clean of corruption.

On Saturday, Malaysians from all walks of life turned up at Dataran Putrajaya here to celebrate the 62nd National Day, themed “Sayangi Malaysiaku: Malaysia Bersih” (Love Malaysia: A Clean Malaysia).

The sight of over 300,000 people of different races gathered at one place to witness and celebrate the country’s independence gave Malaysians the reassurance of a strong sense of unity.

Many patriotic citizens who turned up had invested time, money and effort to go the extra mile by being creative with their attire for the day.

There were performances and a marching parade that consisted of members from government departments, agencies, institutions, schools, associations and the private sector.

Many agencies, especially those related to enforcement, displayed some of their latest assets and equipment, such as a mobile surveillance radar, turntable ladder, tanker, fighter jets, as well as helicopters.

This year’s celebration was graced by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah at Dataran Putrajaya.

The crowd was enthralled by this year’s performances.

They included a multicultural musical performance that projected the long enjoyed peace and unity among Malaysians, and a human graphics formation participated by some 2,250 students from 53 schools in Selangor.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the event’s theme was chosen to highlight the government’s efforts in inculcating love for the country, as well as strengthening unity and harmony.

“Let us return to the principles of the Rukun Negara, which embodies the values of peace, harmony, unity, loyalty to the king and the state, tolerance of one another and the strong spirit of patriotism.

“Let’s celebrate this meaningful day by maintaining our harmonious spirit of togetherness and solidarity among all Malaysians so that the government’s aspiration of shared prosperity can be enjoyed by all,” he added.

Communications and Multimedia Ministry secretary-general Datuk Suriani Ahmad said she was satisfied with the celebration as all contingents and performance teams had shown high spirits.

“The contingent marched in line as planned.

“Students from 53 schools, who participated in the human graphics formation, were committed as they had been practiced since July,” she said.

Suriani hoped Malaysians would be tolerant and respectful of others, as well as remove negative attitudes they might have.

She also hoped that the public inculcated a sense of responsibility and sensitiveness to care about the feelings of those from other races.

Many of those who the New Straits Times interviewed shared the same sentiments, that the 62nd National Day parade had made them realise they must appreciate unity and set aside their differences.

Safea Isharida Ishak, 36, said she had made it a point to bring her daughter, Melissa Nur Ariana Mohd Nizam, to the National Day parade annually since she was born.

“My daughter is 4 years old. It is important for parents to instil good values in their children from young.”

She said patriotism must go together with unity as they hold strong meaning for all Malaysians.

“This is a reminder so that we do not get swayed or carried away by emotions,” she said.

“I want my daughter to grow up being a good and proud Malaysian. This year I saw a large multiracial crowd at the parade. This made me happy as it shows that we have not lost our unity,” Safea said.

Sisters, Nurul Huda Roslan, 18, and Nurul Athira Roslan, 17, said the performances were lively and colourful.

“I feel the love and tolerance that we have for each other.

“I hope that despite the immaturity we see on social media, we will always stay humble and together as Malaysians,” the SMK Gombak Setia Form Six student said.

Irish tourist Lucy Megaw said she found out about the celebration through a local who worked at her hostel.

Megaw said she was fascinated by Malaysia’s multiethnic community which came together and put on amazing and vigorous performances.

She said she wished that people in the United Kingdom would take Malaysia as an example of a harmonious multiethnic society.

Beth Meleish, 19, from Scotland, also shared Megaw’s sentiment about the National Day celebration.

“Although I don’t understand what was being said, I enjoyed watching the dance performances and aerial spectacles.

“This is the first time I’m seeing a fighter jet and the other armed machinery so close.

“It’s quite an experience,” she said wishing Malaysians a happy National Day.

Source: NST