KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysians thronged the official venues where state-level National Day celebrations were held today in all its grandeur.
Themed Malaysia MADANI: Jiwa Merdeka, the celebrations showcased traditions and cultures from various races and ethnicities.
In PENANG, over 25,000 people flocked to Jalan Padang Kota Lama, George Town, at 7 am to witness a parade involving over 8,000 participants.
Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak and his wife Toh Puan Khadijah Mohd Nor, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, state leaders, and heads of state departments attended the celebration.
In KEDAH, over 35,000 visitors, undeterred by the overcast weather, thronged Dataran Medan Bandar in Alor Setar since 5 am to watch the National Day parade, which was also graced by the Sultan of Kedah Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah and Sultanah of Kedah Sultanah Maliha.
The parade featured 5,000 participants, including an aerial display by the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s F/A-18D Hornet aircraft from the Butterworth Air Base, which performed at the national-level celebration in Putrajaya earlier.
In PERAK, Sultan Nazrin Shah, Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Zara Salim, and children Raja Datuk Seri Azlan Muzaffar Shah and Raja Datuk Seri Nazira Safya graced the state-level 2024 National Day celebration at Dewan Bandaran Ipoh.
About 30,000 visitors attended the event to witness the parade involving 108 contingents with 6,000 participants from government agencies, uniformed bodies, statutory bodies, and those from the private sector as well as university and school students.
In NEGERI SEMBILAN, Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and Tuanku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud graced the celebration this morning at the Seremban City Council.
Over 20,000 people from all walks of life, some were seen wearing Jalur Gemilang-themed attire, attended the event to witness the parade involving over 80 contingents with 5,000 participants, including those from the Kelab Kereta Klasik dan Antik Negeri Sembilan as well as Kelab Basikal Tuo Soghomban.
Meanwhile, in MELAKA, over 50,000 visitors watched the aerial display by the Air Unit of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, held for the first time in conjunction with this year's state-level National Day celebration, at Persiaran Jalan Merdeka, Banda Hilir.
The celebration, attended by the Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam, remained lively with the participation of 8,000 participants from 161 contingents who marched 4.8 km from Padang Dataran Pahlawan to Hang Tuah Stadium despite heavy rain since early morning.
In JOHOR, about 8,000 visitors attended the celebration at Dataran Segamat to watch the procession involving 114 contingents from government agencies, uniformed bodies, schools, and higher education institutions.
Meanwhile, in PAHANG, Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah graced the 2024 National Day parade at Padang Majlis Bandaraya Kuantan (MBK) 1 in Kuantan, also attended by 65,000 people.
Visitors watched the procession involving uniformed bodies, patriotic song and dance performances by the Department of National Arts and Culture, and a demonstration by the 4th Mechanised Brigade’s Assault Vehicle Unit. Six Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jets from No. 12 Squadron, Gong Kedak Air Base, performed a flypast during the event.
TERENGGANU Yang Di-Pertuan Muda Tengku Muhammad Ismail Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin graced the state-level celebration at Dataran Shahbandar, Kuala Terengganu. Approximately 50,000 people attended the event.
The chant of ‘Merdeka’ and a prayer for the nation’s fighters at 7.30 am marked the beginning of the celebration, which was followed by a 1.3 km procession from Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium to Dataran Shahbandar involving 122 contingents.
In SABAH, 185 contingents participated in the National Day and Sabah Day 2024 parade, which was held at Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Kota Kinabalu, and witnessed by over 10,000 visitors.
Graced by Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his wife, Toh Puan Norlida RM Jasni, the event was enlivened by a war dance performance by the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Merdeka Jalur Gemilang convoy, a group of food delivery riders, and the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2024.
In SARAWAK, Yang diPertua Negeri Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife, Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, joined over 10,000 people in a 2.4km Fun Walk programme at 7.30 am starting from Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang in Sibu.
An aerobic session and a lucky draw offering 40 attractive prices were also held.
-- BERNAMA