Leaders give thumbs-up to National Day celebration

KUALA LUMPUR: The 2017 National Day celebration at historic Dataran Merdeka, here, yesterday has been hailed by some of the nation’s leaders as astounding and extraordinary in terms of presentation and public support.

Watched by over 500,000 people who converged on the iconic square and its surrounding areas, the celebration themed ‘Negaraku Sehati Sejiwa’ ( My Country, One Heart, One Soul) saw the scene and atmosphere brought back to Aug 31, 1957 where Malaysia’s first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj pronounced the country’s independence from colonial rule, at nearby Merdeka Stadium.

Some of the country’s leaders met after the National Day parade said the performance put up by the various contingents this year managed to revive the ‘ Merdeka’ ( Independence) spirit, besides portraying the various transformations the country had gone through since 1957.

Communications and Multimedia Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak said the difference in presentation this time could be effective in creating awareness in the people of the need to appreciate the peace in the country. “Alhamdulillah ( Praise be to God), the celebration went on smoothly in the true Malaysian spirit.

“It’s important for us to see this country’s journey of progress and development since it was formed, and we have showcased what we’ve gone through and also the future, including the National Transformation Plan mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak,” he said.

Besides the presence of the country’s leaders and other dignitaries, the celebration was also graced by Sultan Muhammad V, His Majesty’s first time at the national-level celebration since being installed as the 15th Yang diPertuan Agong earlier this year. — Bernama