Showing patriotism – the M’sian way
Many go to great lengths to parade their love for the country on Merdeka Day
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians went the extra mile to celebrate National Day, with some expressing their patriotism through traditional attire and others travelling from afar for the festivities here.
Gigi Cheoh and her family showed up in garb unique to the different races in Malaysia – baju kebaya, punjabi suit and a cheongsam top.
“We want to do something significant and special to commemorate a new era in Malaysia.
“My elder sister came up with the idea, and my mother and I were game for it,” said the 27-year-old media practitioner.
Cheoh bought the punjabi suit the day before just for the Merdeka parade in the administrative capital.
Khairil Idham had his family of six decked out in custom-made Raya clothes.
The 34-year-old doctor said his wife and him woke up their four sons at six in the morning to dress them up.
They wanted to create awareness on the traditional attire.
“Besides Hari Raya, Hari Kebangsaan (National Day) is a platform for us to show our love for our culture, and to instil this pride in not just our family, but others as well,” he said.
The National Day festivities yesterday also attracted out-of-towners such as Omar Othman, who came all the way from Terengganu.
The 74-year-old retiree took a sixhour bus ride with his wife to Putrajaya.
“Although I come to Putrajaya once every two months as my daughter lives here, this is the first time in my life I witnessed the National Day parade,” he said.
The revelries were also a perfect way to have a family outing, with teacher Patmaloschani Paralingam bringing her two children to the parade.
“It wasn’t hard to wake them up for the parade. They got up early because they were so excited,” said the 35-year-old.