NST175: Salute to the nation
August 27, 2020 @ 9:51am
FOR the past 62 years, the National Day has been a significant and meaningful celebration for Malaysians from all walks of life.
It commemorates the country's struggle to gain independence from the British and the resounding success of the effort was echoed in Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj's iconic bellows of "Merdeka!" on Aug 31 1957.
Over the years, the celebration has evolved but the spirit of patriotism remains close to the heart of every Malaysian.
A float representing the trade and industries ministry being paraded at Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur in 1975. -NSTP/File pic
The National Day Parade remains the key highlight of the celebration. It is the time the people get to see flypast performances and the latest military arsenal.
Aircraft from the Royal Malaysian Air Force, the armed forces and the Royal Malaysian Navy fly above Dataran Merdeka in a salute to the nation, led by military helicopters bearing the Jalur Gemilang. The armed forces' flags billow in the skies along with the flags of the 13 states and three Federal Territories.
After the flypast, the much-anticipated civilian and military parade begins with the march past of the national and state flags.
About 1,500 students from 17 schools forming a national flag as part of their calisthenics performance at Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur in 1967. -NSTP/File pic
Teams from the armed forces, police, civil defence force, Fire and Rescue Department, civilian organisations and government agencies march proudly in an expression of loyalty to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the nation.
Communities from various backgrounds, resplendent in their traditional costumes, will march past, waving and smiling at the thrilled spectators.
In every Merdeka celebration, colourful floats representing government agencies and corporations will be paraded through the street, adding excitement to the event.
School children participating in a performance during the National Day parade in Kuala Lumpur in 1984. -NSTP/File pic
The king graces the National Day celebration and receives salute from members of the security forces.
This year, the king is expected to present a royal address.
Every year, people get to witness the mobile column lined up by vehicles from the armed forces, police and the Fire and Rescue Department, among others. Adding colour to the column will be vintage vehicles.
Rounding up the parade is the mounted column composed of members of the civil service and mounted squadrons from the Royal Malaysia Police and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
A civil mobile column is also featured, made up of nationally- produced vehicles from companies like Proton.
A choir singing the national anthem while performers and spectators stand at attention at Merdeka Stadium in 1957. -NSTP/File pic
Schoolchildren are roped in to add joy to the parade. In past parades, they used placards to create beautiful formations representing various symbols of the National Day.
Since independence, the National Day Parade has been held at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur.
Since Putrajaya became the administrative capital in 2003, the celebration has been held in Dataran Pahlawan there.
A Malaysian Royal Armoured Corps mobile column comprising 40 armoured vehicles taking part in the 10th National Day celebration in Kuala Lumpur in 1967. -NSTP/File pic
State governments had also hosted the parade in their capitals, including in Shah Alam, Johor Baru, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, George Town and Kuantan.
The celebration carries an annual theme, which is decided by the rulers.
At times, the celebration had to be scaled down such as in 2009 when the parade was held at Parliament grounds and limited to 4,000 people due to the flu pandemic. The 2010 parade was also the first time it was held indoors.