KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians from all walks of life today celebrated the 57th anniversary of the country's independence in high spirit to face future challenges and bounce back after the MH17 tragedy.
The public were seen to have flocked various venues, either at the national or state levels, since early morning to join the celebration with the theme of 'Malaysia: Here, Where Love Begins'.
In Dataran Merdeka, over 14,000 participants from 23 contingents from government agencies, private sector, telecommunication companies and government-linked companies, took part in the Merdeka Day parade.
The Merdeka parade began promptly at 8.05am, after the arrival of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Haminah.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman as well as cabinet members and heads of foreign missions were also present to watch the parade and two hours of exhilarating performances.
It is estimated that 400,000 people flocked the Dataran Merdeka and its surrounding areas to join the national-level celebration and watch the Merdeka Day parade.
The event was also broadcast live by Radio Televisyen Malaysia on TV1.
In PERAK, the state-level Merdeka celebration took place in front of the Dewan Bandaran in Ipoh.
It was celebrated on a moderate-scale as the state was still mourning the death of the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, who passed away on May 28.
The celebration was graced by the new Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah and Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim.
Also present was Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
A total of 101 contingent from public and private agencies, institution of
higher learning, uniformed bodies and non-governmental organisations
participated in the Merdeka parade.
In MELAKA, the Merdeka celebration was held in front of the Independence Declaration Memorial in Banda Hilir, where the country's Father of Independence Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj first announced the date to declare Malaysia's independence.
A total of 9,468 participants, including students, from 196 contingents took part in the four-kilometre parade.
Also present were Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron and state executive council members.
In his speech, Idris also called on the multi-racial people in the state and in the country to stay united to maintain peace and harmony which had been among the beautiful essence of Malaysia over the past 57 years.
In SARAWAK, Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem, members of the state cabinet and other dignitaries and their wives joined some 5,000 people, including 2,000 participants, in the colourful Merdeka Day celebration at Kapit Open Sports Stadium.
In his speech, Adenan said it cannot be denied that the state had benefitted tremendously from the decision made 50 years ago by its (pre-Merdeka) pioneer leaders and people in agreeing for the state to join forces to form Malaysia.
In NEGERI SEMBILAN, the state-level Merdeka Day celebration and parade were held at the Seremban Municipal Council's field.
A total of 9,600 participants from 112 contingents comprising government agencies, private sector, non-governmental organisations, as well as students, took part in the 1.2km-long parade around the state capital.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, State Assembly Speaker Datuk Dr.Awaludin Said, State Secretary Datuk Mat Ali Hassan, state executive council members and senior state officials attended the event.
In his speech, Mohamad said all quarters should try to understand the phrase 'Malaysia: Here, Where Love Begin' which was selected as the theme for the national day celebration this year.
He said they should also take it as a slogan and a guide to ensure that this beloved country would continue to be protected, with peace and harmony be preserved for the wellbeing of the people.
In KELANTAN, over 2,000 spectators watched the state-level Merdeka Parade at the 3rd Battalion of the 506th Regiment of the Territorial Army's Sungai Durian Camp in Kuala Krai.
Fifty-three contingents from various government agencies took part in the parade.
Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob, Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, State Police chief Datuk Mazlan Lazim and Kelantan Federal Development Department director Datuk Makhtar Mustapha.
In JOHOR, the state-level Merdeka celebration was held in Kulaijaya and was attended by over 10,000 people from all walks of life.
The colourful parade began in Jalan Persiaran Sri Putra Utama at 8 am and ended at the Kulaijaya Mini Stadium.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin also participated in the parade by cycling along with state executive council (Exco) members, while State Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohamad Aziz and several other state Exco also participated by riding a golf cart.
In KEDAH, the state-level Merdeka parade in front of Pekan Rabu in Alor
Setar kicked off at 7.30 am and was participated by over 4,000 people from 101
contingents from various public and private agencies.
Kedah Council Of Regency Chairman Tan Sri Tunku Sallehhuddin Sultan
Badlishah, Kedah Council Of Regency member Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz
Sultan Abdul Halim, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir and state
Exco were among the 5,000 people who watched the parade.
In PAHANG, approximately 20,000 people started flocking Jalan Mahkota and Kuantan Municipal Council's field from as early as 7 am to join the state-level Merdeka celebration.
The celebration began with the arrival of Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Tengku Puan Pahang Tengku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah. They were met on arrival by Menteri Besar Pahang Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob.
All participants and spectators also observed a minute of silence as a mark of respect for the victims of the MH17 tragedy.
Ninety-seven contingents with 52 decorated vehicles took part in the parade. - Bernama