KOTA KINABALU: Thousands of national and Sabah flags decorate Likas roads here, greeting passers-by as they celebrate the 54th anniversary of Malaysia.
The long-stretch of flags signify how far Malaysians have come in maintaining strong unity and bringing progress despite the many challenges over the years since Sept 16,1963.
Tomorrow, over 30,000 people are expected to throng the Sports Complex in Likas to commemorate the establishment of the Malaysian federation.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is scheduled to attend the event which will start at 7pm.
He will be accompanied by his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman, and Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin will attend the event as the guest-of-honour.
Throughout the evening visitors will be entertained by special dance and music performances.
Najib will deliver his message in conjunction with Malaysia Day, followed by a cake cutting ceremony by Juhar and flag-raising ceremony as well as fireworks.
Universiti Sains Malaysia political and sociology senior lecturer Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian described the event as an important platform in bringing integration and solidarity to Malaysians.
"Although we have big differences in terms of political and cultural belief, we must set that aside and celebrate togetherness in a high spirit.
"To build a nation is not easy but to break it, can be done in the blink of an eye. Therefore, we must understand the basis as to why are we celebrating Malaysia and work together towards maintaining peace," he said.
Sivamurugan, who is a spokesperson for Malaysia Day, also hoped to see such events celebrated in other states, particularly in the peninsula.
Today, city folks have started visiting the main venue for the celebration at 3pm to join in some of the activities lined-up throughout the three-day carnival.
The carnival will see 41 governmental and non-governmental agencies operating exhibition booths for the public.
Ten mobile services such as the court, library, Election Commission, National Registration Department, Road Transport Department, and Lembaga Tabung Haji, among others, are also provided.
Sixteen celebrities will be making an appearance in tonight's Konsert Negaraku #kitasamahero to entertain visitors.
Earlier in a function here, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Salleh Said Keruak thanked the Prime Minister for gazetting Sept 16 as a national public holiday.
"I urge all citizens in Kota Kinabalu and surrounding areas to come and join in the celebration. For those who cannot make it, there will be a live telecast by RTM," he added.
In conjunction with the Malaysia Day celebration, Kota Kinabalu City Hall will also be providing free bus service between KK Sentral and the Sports Complex between 5 pm and 11pm tomorrow.
Mayor of Kota Kinabalu City, Datuk Yeo Boon Hai, in a statement, said that those who wish to use the bus service could park their car at KK Sentral multi-storey car park for free.
He also took note of a few complaints received regarding the noise experienced by the residents living near the main venue due to the preparation for the celebration.
"We hope that they will tolerate as Malaysia Day is a celebration that we all should be proud of," he said.