This year’s National Day celebration culminated with a parade in Putrajaya today.
The celebration featured four similar components with the theme ‘Sayangi Malaysiaku’ (Love My Malaysia), namely patriotism, public order, national security and unity of the people.
Upon the arrival of the Agong at Dataran Putrajaya, the ceremony, which was witnessed by an estimated crowd of 300,000 and millions of Malaysians in their homes through live broadcast on television and social media sites, began with the singing of the national anthem followed by the recitation of the Rukun Negara pledge.
Also present to witness the celebration were Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Cabinet ministers and foreign representatives.
This year’s celebration is a historic milestone because of its significance in celebrating the administration of the Pakatan Harapan-led federal government and new leadership with Dr Mahathir back at the helm at the age of 93.
The choice of Putrajaya as the location is also special as Dr Mahathir was the person who mooted and inspired the development of the area to become the country’s administrative centre in 1995.
The last time the National Day parade took place in Putrajaya was in 2005.