PUTRAJAYA: Crowds began gathering at Dataran Putrajaya as early as last night in eager anticipation of today’s National Day celebration.
For 23-year-old visitor Robiyatul Adaviyah Emran Khan, this is her second time celebrating the occasion at Dataran Putrajaya.
She said this year’s journey was much smoother and less crowded compared with last year, allowing her to sit right in the front row.
“This time, I brought my younger siblings along.
“They travelled all the way from Kedah to celebrate Merdeka together,” said Adaviyah, who arrived at 4.30am.
She said the army contingent was what she was looking forward to the most.
Her sister, Robiyatul Eryna Emran Khan, 14, who is attending for the first time, said she was thrilled to finally experience the event in person.
“I usually watch the parade on television or on my phone.
“This year, I came from far just to see it up close,” she said.
As of 6am, spectators had already filled the viewing areas on both sides of the venue, many waving flags and blowing horns to add to the festive atmosphere.
This year marks Malaysia’s 68th National Day celebration, themed ‘Malaysia Madani, Rakyat Disantuni’.
The grand parade will feature 14,010 participants, 81 contingents, 21 marching bands, 437 land and air assets, 116 service animals and seven decorated floats.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
