KUANTAN: The 60th National Day celebration was celebrated with high cheer and patriotism by a 10,000-strong audience at Jalan Mahkota here this morning.
Members of the public from all walks of life came as early as 7am to witness the event, which began at 8.30am.
The event was graced by the attendance of Regent of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, the various state committee chairmen, and State Secretary Datuk Seri Muhammad Safian Ismail.
Tengku Abdullah kicked off the event with an inspection of the guard of honour.
This was followed by air-dive demonstration by 10 members of the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) Special Air Service (Paskau) who brought the Jalur Gemilang.
The jubilant mood was boosted with the declaration of Independence, followed by shouts of "Merdeka" seven times.
This then led to the parade from 89 contingents from government departments, the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as primary and secondary schools throughout Kuantan.
Around 6,566 participants, clad in clothing of various colours and patterns, took part in the 500m parade from Bangunan Umno here to Padang MPK 1 here.
Around 364 vehicles from the army, the police and Fire and Rescue Department also took part in the occasion.
The crowd was also treated to the spectacle of five Sukhoi SU-30 fighter jets flying overhead the parade twice, raising cheers and shouts of approval from the audience.
The jets are based at Gong Kedak, Terengganu.
The event ended on a high note at 11.30am.