Celebra ng Na onal Day with pride, love

To show her love for the country, Masniah Majuk put on her Malaysia flag a re to a end the Na onal Day celebra on in the city yesterday, and the 19-year-old lass has been doing this for three years.

KOTA KINABALU: To show her love for the country, Masniah Majuk put on her Malaysia flag attire to attend the National Day celebration in the city yesterday, and the 19 lass has been doing this for three years.

This year, however, is special as her sister, Maslianah, 10, joined her in donning the Malaysian flag.

“Our mother made our attire,” Masniah proudly told reporters at the National Day parade.

She said her sister was extremely excited at the prospect of wearing her new dress, which was just completed a day prior to the celebration.

“She was up early and was already wearing her Malaysia flag dress at 5 am,” said Masniah.

Their attires had drawn mixed reactions from the people, she said.

“Some people expressed their pride, and some said we were over doing it. But I personally feel that this is a good way for me to remember the sacrifices of our forefathers. Why do I need to feel ashamed wearing this dress?” she said.

Masniah and Maslianah were among the many who decided to don the Malaysian flag to show their pride and love for the country during the National Day celebration.

Among those in the crowd watching the National Day parade were John Turner and his wife Sarah with their two daughters from London.

“We awoke to the sound of music and decided to see what was happening,” said John.

An accountant by profession, John and his wife both said that such events were uncommon in London, despite it being the city of ‘all happenings’.

He added that they have been touring the island of Borneo, exploring the Kinabatangan river and spotting crocodiles and orangutans, going to the Mulu caves in Sarawak and visiting Kalimantan where his daughters spotted sharks while snorkeling.

He said that the people on the island are very friendly and warm, and unlike the people in London who are busy all the time.

Meanwhile, more than 10,000 people were estimated at the celebration which was also attended by Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal and other cabinet ministers. A total of 19 contingents joined the parade, including a parade consisting of the indigenous people of Sabah clad in their traditional and colourful attires.

At the end of the event, a jet fighter flew past the parade and received cheers from all those present.

Saluting the leaders of Sabah.

Masniah taking a wefie with Maslianah, John, Sarah and their two daughers, Amy and Ruth.

Sabah Unduk Ngadau queen, Hosiani James Jiamis joining the district Unduk Ngadau winners at the National Day celebration.

The Sandakan Municipal Council won the award for the contingent wearing their uniforms at the National day celebration.

Taman Victoria’s Tadika Perpaduan kindergarten pupils celebrating National Day at their park.

The vibrant attire of the Public Works Department won their team an award at the event yesterday.

The army taking part in the state-level National Day celebration march past at Dataran Bandaraya yesterday. - Bernama photo

Members of Persatuan Bangsa Sungai Sabah (Sabas) dressed up in traditional attire taking part in the National Day parade at Dataran Bandaraya yesterday. - Bernama photo

A Murut ethnic group from Nabawan also took part in the National Day parade at Dataran Bandaraya yesterday. - Bernama photo

The Suang Lotud indigenous group were among the ethnic people taking part in the parade.

Kelab Malaysiaku members among the participants of the parade.

Some of the 10,000 people who came to see the parade yesterday. Some arrived as early as 5 am.

A young girl donning the Malaysian flag.