PUTRAJAYA, Aug 31 – A huge display of fireworks lit up the sky in Putrajaya as the clock struck 12 marking the 56th year of Malaysia’s Independence Friday night.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak joined thousands of people who thronged Putrajaya, which had been decorated with the Jalur Gemilang (national flag), for the Merdeka countdown at the Putrajaya Marina, previously known as the Putrajaya Maritime Centre at Precinct 5.
He was accompanied by wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman.
Also present were Communication and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, whio is also the chairman of the 56th Merdeka Day celebration organising committee, and other cabinet ministers. Shouts of “Merdeka” filled the air when the clock struck 12.
At the function, Najib also launched the Putrajaya International Fireworks Competition.
The competition, organised by Putrajaya Corporation and Duago Corporation Sdn Bhd, involved the participation of Malaysia, South Korea, France, China, the United States and United Arab Emirates.
In KUALA LUMPUR, the countdown around Suria KLCC with the Petronas Twin Towers as backdrop was a merry occasion with a musical fountain and fireworks show being the highlights.
At Dataran Merdeka, although there was no official celebration this time, it did not stop the people from congregating there for the countdown.
Cars decked with the Jalur Gemilang sounded their horns in welcoming Aug 31.
In the shopping haven of Bukit Bintang, foreign tourists joined the locals in welcoming Merdeka Day.
Adding to the joy was a group of students from Kolej Komuniti Selayang who were seen waving the Jalur Gemilang to enliven the mood.
In IPOH, the highlight of the Merdeka countdown at the Indera Mulia Stadium was the handing over of a “tengkolok” (a type of headgear) to eight VAT 69 commandos by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir to symbolise appreciation for the sacrifices by security members in defending the country’s sovereignty.
In SEREMBAN, almost 10,000 people from all walks of life gathered at the Seremban Municipal Council field and Dataran Seremban for the Merdeka countdown.
At the strike of midnight, there was a display of fireworks.
In MELAKA, the Merdeka countdown was held at the Malaysia Aidilfitri Raya Merdeka open house at the Hang Tuah Stadium.
In PERLIS, there was no official programme for the Merdeka countdown, but the Perlis Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) organised its own countdown at the campus in Arau where it students and lecturers shouted ‘Merdeka” at the strike of midnight.
In JOHOR BAHARU, the Merdeka countdown was held at Dataran Bandaraya with various programmes held since 3pm.
In KUALA TERENGGANU, it was held at Dataran Shahbandar and was attended by about 5,000 people during which they sang the “Negaraku”.
In PENANG, the Merdeka countdown was held at Padang Kota Lama where, despite the drizzle, a large crowd gathered to also watch the cultural performance and the fireworks display.
A large crowd also gathered at Persiaran Gurney, Bukit Bendera and Queensbay for the countdown.
United Kingdom tourists, Doug Howell, 65, and his wife Vivienne Howell, 61, said the celebration was sight to behold and that they were amazed to see Malaysians of different races coming together to show their love for the nation.
Howell said Malaysia truly offered a unique experience in terms of tourism with numerous tourist spots to visit and welcoming attitude of the people.
In SHAH ALAM, the celebration took a different twist with a silent parade (parade without commands) mounted by a team from the Royal Malaysian Navy, a motorcycle acrobatic show by the Malaysian Armed Forces, Red Warrior Tattoo and a float parade.
In KOTA KINABALU, a twelve-car float parade from government agencies and non-governmental agencies joined the Merdeka Eve procession while 700 students from the primary to tertiary level particpated in a lantern festival at Dataran Bandaraya.
In JITRA, motorists on the North-South Highway stopped by the road shoulder near the Bandar Darul Aman theme park to watch a fireworks display mounted for the Kedah-level celebration at the location.
– BERNAMA
