Thousands throng N-Day events nationwide

KUALA LUMPUR: National Day falling during Ramadan did not stop thousands of people from thronging the various festival venues nationwide to celebrate the 53rd National Day.

Although some states cancelled the usual midnight countdown while others celebrated in air-conditioned surroundings yesterday, the Merdeka spirit was apparent everywhere.

In George Town, thousands of people and tourists began gathering along Light Street as early as 6am for the 8.30am parade.

Patrick Lim, 37, who was with his wife and six-year-old son, said: “It is my son’s first Merdeka parade. He insisted on wearing his Jalur Gemilang songkok, which he made in his kindergarten.”

Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng were among those present at the event.

While there was no official countdown celebrations because of the fasting month, about 1,500 youths gathered at the Penang Times Square, as thousands gathered elsewhere in the state to shout “Merdeka” after the clock struck midnight.

The event, graced by Pandan MP Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, was the culmination of the two-day Youth Jam ’10 National Day celebrations organised by Jazzada Solution and presented by DiGi.

In Ipoh, hundreds turned up at the Perak Stadium early with their mini Jalur Gemilang to watch the march past, an acrobatic presentation by the air force and free-hand combat demonstration by the armed forces.

The parade was opened by the Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah. Also present was Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

In Klang, the thousands converged on I-city for the countdown and were treated to a patriotic documentary filmed in Gaza.

Aminurin Hassan, 34, who was with his wife Shahreena Anuar, 32, said: “We wanted to do something different this year as it is our fifth wedding anniversary today.”

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim attended the event with exco members, Ronnie Liu and Halimah Ali.

Halimah also launched an “anti-zina” campaign to provide aid for teenagers and young mothers who conceived out of wedlock.

In Malacca, it was a “cool” celebrations for the 5,000-odd participants and people since they were in the comfort of MITC’s air-conditioned hall in Ayer Keroh.

In Kota Kinabalu, Sabahans marked National Day on a moderate scale at the Likas Sports complex. In addition to the usual parade, a special 10-minute cultural presentation on 1Malaysia was performed by the Sabah Cultural Board dancers.

In Kluang, Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman joined 3,000 people for the celebration at the Dewan Tunku Ibrahim Ismail.

Among the programmes in the one-hour celebration were the singing of patriotic songs and poetry declamations.