Double joy: Parents welcome Merdeka babies on National Day

KUALA LUMPUR: A private sector employee welcomed her first child on National Day, making the occasion a double celebration.

Nur Hidayah Sadik, 24, said she had not expected to give birth to her baby girl on the nation’s historic independence day.

“I never imagined my child would be a Merdeka baby, as her estimated due date was Sept 4.

“When she was born today, it became a double celebration and a proud moment for me, as my daughter is now a Merdeka baby,” she said at the Tunku Azizah Hospital 2025 National Day baby celebration, held at the hospital today.

Also present was hospital director Dr Shamsul Anuar Kamarudin.

Another private sector employee, Nurmazlinda Marwazi, 30, said she too was overjoyed to deliver her baby boy at 5.55am today.

“This is my fourth child, and I feel truly happy and excited that I was able to give birth to a Merdeka baby.

“It is a proud moment for me, as none of my other family members were born on this historic date,” she said.

Housewife Lim Lee Yun, 26, expressed her happiness that her second child, a baby girl, was also born today.

“The hospital staff informed me that my daughter was the first Merdeka baby delivered here this year,” she said.

Dr Shamsul said the hospital had recorded over 36,000 births since 2022, including 80 babies delivered on Aug 31 in the past two years.

“On average, we record about 12,000 births annually, which translates to between 50 and 60 babies a day.

“As of 9.30am today, 12 Merdeka babies had been delivered at the hospital, comprising eight girls and four boys.

“Of these, seven mothers delivered naturally, four by caesarean section and one through vacuum-assisted delivery,” he added.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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