PUTRAJAYA: The spirit of Malaysia MADANI shone brightly as people from all walks of life gathered at Dataran Putrajaya for the vibrant 2025 National Day celebration.
This 68th edition carried the theme “MADANI Malaysia: Rakyat Disantuni” and reflected the nation’s enduring unity through ceremonial events and captivating performances.
Festivities began at 6.30 am with distinguished guests arriving, culminating in His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim’s grand entrance at 8 am.
The King personally drove a blue Proton Satria Neo bearing registration number WWW1, accompanied by Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim attended alongside Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
Cabinet ministers including Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil joined diplomats and foreign dignitaries at the prestigious event.
The celebration commenced with the singing of the national anthem “Negaraku” and the ceremonial raising of the Jalur Gemilang.
A 14-gun salute symbolising Malaysia’s 14 states was executed by the 41st Battery of the Royal Artillery Regiment under Major Hafizan Mat Ghani.
The event continued with the recitation of the Rukun Negara pledge led by Lieutenant Commander Mohd Firdaus Arbaain.
Lieutenant Commander Mohd Firdaus earned recognition as a national hero for rescuing victims of a boat capsize in Teluk Batik, Perak on 28 August 2023.
His Majesty awarded him the Pingat Jasa Perkasa Persekutuan on 2 June this year for his exceptional bravery.
Renowned singer Biduanita Negara Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza made a special appearance to enliven the atmosphere further.
She performed the official theme song for the 2025 National Day and Malaysia Day celebration titled “Malaysia MADANI: Rakyat Disantuni”.
Thousands of visitors sang along with her performance, creating a powerful moment of national unity and pride.
The performance carried a strong message of well-being and national solidarity for all Malaysians.
The celebration then proceeded with a grand parade featuring eighty-one contingents comprising fourteen thousand and sixty-two participants.
The parade also included twenty-one marching bands, seven decorated floats, five hundred and eight land and air assets, and one hundred and sixteen animals in public service.
Organisers divided the parade and procession into six main segments focusing on nationhood, people’s parade, well-being, national security, air show, and special MADANI performance.
A human-graphic and choir presentation enhanced the event with two thousand students from fifty secondary schools across Selangor and the Federal Territory.
The Army Music Training Centre band led the procession with one officer and forty-five members under Lieutenant Khairul Anuar Hasan‘s direction. – Bernama
