Patriotism on parade
THE thousands who converged on Dataran Merdeka for the National
Day parade on Thursday were taken back in time to 1957, when shouts of ‘Merdeka’ rang out across the sky. Leaders and citizens were impressed by the narration of Malaysia’s independence, and some were moved to tears to see the challenges and growth the country has experienced.
KUALA LUMPUR: As the nation celebrated its 60th National Day on Thursday, Malaysians channelled their patriotic spirit in unique ways.
In Kuala Terengganu, the celebration took off with 16 passenger boats parading at the Seberang Takir jetty in Kuala Nerus on the eve of Merdeka.
The boats, decked with the Jalur Gemilang, whizzed past Sungai Terengganu, Pulau Warisan, Pulau Duyung and Taman Tamadun Islam for more than an hour.
Programme director Datuk Andri Aidham Ahmad Badri said the event was to boost the popularity of the boats, which were the traditional mainstay of transportation in the city before motor vehicles became popular.
In Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, a group of volunteers reached the summit of Mount Kinabalu on Thursday morning.
They were part of the “Klimb Kinabalu Fight Against Cancer” event organised by the National Cancer Council to raise funds for cancer patients.
At Tunku Abdul Rahman Park in Kota Kinabalu, five Malaysian divers “flew” the Jalur Gemilang underwater.
Diving instructor Emmanuele Girelli, 38, said: “It is a good way to promote the country because such a picture will be posted on social media.”
In Sik, Kedah, 40 people born on Aug 31 were treated to a birthday celebration on Merdeka eve at Dataran Majlis Daerah Kampung Kilang Ubi.
The “Merdeka babies”, aged between 1 and 71, were showered with goodies and Jalur Gemilang from Jeneri state assemblyman Mahadzir Abd Hamid.
In Melaka, a family dressed up
in handmade Jalur Gemilang outfits to show their patriotism.
Omar Aman, 36, his wife, Mardhiah Nasir, 30, and their five children, aged between 2 and 9, were in Jalan Hang Tuah here to join in the countdown to Merdeka.
“The clothes we are wearing were designed and tailored by me for Merdeka,” Mardhiah said.
“Initially, I made the outfits just to please my kids, but we ended up having fun that we decided to make it a yearly routine.”