ALOR STAR: Cheers erupted across the city square this morning as more than 40,000 Kedahans watched in awe while four Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Special Warfare Forces (Paskal) paratroopers leapt from the skies in a thrilling aerial display for the 68th National Day celebration.
Crowds began filling the city square as early as 7am to witness the parade.
At about 9.20am, the paratroopers leapt from 4,000 feet (1.2km) from a Fennec aircraft belonging to Squadron 502 of the RMN Air Wing.
They descended with the Jalur Gemilang and other flags billowing in the wind, drawing cheers from the crowd.
The free-fall jump saw Warrant Officer 1 Mohd Kamil Mustafa carrying the Jalur Gemilang, Warrant Officer 2 Khairil Azhar Hashim with the Kedah flag, Lieutenant Mohd Azhar Kamarudin with the RMN flag, and Leading Seaman Muhamad Rohaizat Khayri with the Paskal flag.
All landed safely on the city square before honouring Sultan of Kedah Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah and Sultanah Maliha Tengku Ariffin, who graced the parade.
Also present were Raja Muda of Kedah Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin, Raja Puan Muda of Kedah Che Puan Muda Zaheeda Mohamad Ariff, Tunku Mahkota of Kedah Tunku Shazuddin Ariff Sultan Sallehuddin and Tunku Puan Mahkota of Kedah Che Puan Nur Julie Ariff.
Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor was also present.
The celebration opened with Sultan Sallehuddin’s inspection of the guard of honour, followed by a choir performance and a series of cultural and patriotic showcases.
More than 4,000 participants from 119 contingents representing government agencies, private organisations and non-governmental organisations took part in the parade.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
