All set for National Day
Preparations in place to welcome 300,000 people
EVERYTHING is ready and in place to welcome some 300,000 people expected to turn up for the National Day celebrations tomorrow. Since Aug 26, 15,000 contingent members involved in the 2018 National Day parades and marches begun rehearsals. Yesterday was their full-dress rehearsal.
Communications and Multimedia Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Mohd Ali Mohamad Nor said preparations for the National Day celebrations went smoothly and as planned.
“Things are going as planned, and we hope the weather will favour us with clear skies like today (Wednesday). The unique element of this year’s celebration is the theme ‘Sayangi Malaysiaku’, in addition to the high spirits of the new government and people’s unity,” he said after the rehearsal.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Seri Mazlan Lazim said police would uphold security, adding that 110 police officers and staff would monitor traffic at Presint 4, 3 and 2 here.
It was reported that 1,351 police personnel had been assigned to safeguard public safety and control traffic during the celebrations here.
“We are not only keeping areas where the National Day celebrations are being held safe, but the whole of Putrajaya,” Mazlan said.
“More assets, including additional patrol cars and motorcycle patrol units, will be deployed from tomorrow (today) until midnight on Aug 31.
“We will also prepare other security elements, including the Federal Reserve Unit and the Special Actions Unit to boost security.”
The National Day celebrations at Dataran Putrajaya tomorrow will involve four segments — “kenegaraan” (statehood), public order, national security and unity among the people — to reflect patriotism and love towards the country.
The “kenegaraan” segment will involve those in government-linked companies, government-linked investment companies and companies listed in Bursa Malaysia.
The Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team, National Disaster Management Agency as well as the Fire and Rescue Department are among agencies taking part in the celebration under the “public order” segment.
Under the “national security” segment, uniformed services, such as the police and the armed forces, will display their assets. The Royal Malaysian Air Force will conduct a flypast and fighter jets formation.
The “unity among the people” segment will showcase Malaysian unity through dances and songs coordinated by the National Culture and Arts Department, involving children from the Permata Seni Tari programme, Persatuan Anak-Anak Negeri Sabah, Kuala Lumpur and Soka Gakkai Malaysia.