Patriotism, Unity Shine Across Malaysia On National Day

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 (Bernama) -- The 2026 National Day celebrations took place in a vibrant patriotic atmosphere across the country today, with various events and parades held to foster love for the nation and strengthen unity.

Themed “Malaysia MADANI: Kesejahteraan Dinikmati”, the national-level celebration at Dataran Putrajaya was the main highlight, with the King and Queen, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, in attendance, alongside Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Cabinet ministers.

The Putrajaya celebration began with a military ceremony, followed by performances and a colourful parade showcasing Malaysia’s diversity and the aspirations of Malaysia MADANI. Over 100,000 people attended the event.

The parade featured 10,819 participants from 77 contingents, along with 328 assets, 22 electric vehicles (EVs), 112 service animals, 22 marching bands and 11 decorated vehicles.

In PERAK, the state-level National Day celebration at the Ipoh City Council grounds involved 105 contingents comprising 5,884 participants from various government departments and agencies, uniformed bodies, educational institutions, statutory bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

About 50,000 people attended the parade and performances, which included choir, dance, cultural and patriotic presentations, as well as displays of security forces’ assets and vehicles.

Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah and Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim were also in attendance. 

In KEDAH, Sultan Kedah Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah attended the National Day celebration at Dataran Medan Bandar, Alor Setar.

Also present were Raja Muda Kedah Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin and other members of the royal family, as well as Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, state secretary Datuk Seri Norizan Khazali and members of the State Executive Council.

More than 40,000 people attended the celebration, which began with the singing of the state anthem, “Allah Selamat Sultan”, before Sultan Sallehuddin inspected the main guard of honour from the 6th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment (RAMD), accompanied by the regimental colours.

The celebration continued with choir and dance performances, followed by a parade of contingents past the main stage. More than 3,000 participants from 96 contingents took part, representing government departments and agencies, schools, higher education institutions, uniformed bodies and NGOs.

In NEGERI SEMBILAN, more than 30,000 people from all walks of life began gathering at the Seremban City Council grounds as early as 5 am.

Yang Dipertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud were also in attendance.

A total of 82 contingents comprising more than 4,000 participants took part in the parade, representing government departments and agencies, statutory bodies, district administrations, NGOs, schools, higher education institutions and private companies.

In TERENGGANU, a parade of 20 classic motorcycles from the Kuala Terengganu Classic Honda Club, led by its president Muhammad Syafiq Suresh, was among the highlights of the National Day celebration at Dataran Shahbandar.

About 10,000 people gathered from early morning to watch the Merdeka parade, which involved 3,500 participants from 119 contingents representing Federal and state departments, government-linked companies, NGOs, private companies, secondary schools and statutory bodies from across the state.

Regent of Terengganu Tengku Muhammad Ismail Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin led the celebration. Also in attendance were Tengku Sri Setia Mahkota Raja Tengku Muhammad Mua’az Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin and Tengku Puteri Daulath Raja Tengku Fatimatuz Zahra Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.

In MELAKA, the celebration at Jalan Persiaran Pantai, Klebang, attracted nearly 70,000 visitors, with a flypast by fighter and transport aircraft among the main attractions.

Yang Dipertua Negeri Melaka Tun Mohd Ali Rustam and his wife Toh Puan Asmah Abd Rahman attended the celebration, alongside Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and his wife Datin Seri Zuriyah Ab Aziz.

Among the highlights was a flypast involving 10 aircraft, including Sukhoi Su-30MKM, FA-18D Hornet and Hawk 200 fighter jets, as well as three A400M and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.

The celebration also featured aerial displays, including free-fall demonstrations by national security forces such as the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) and the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM).

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HKHM-STATES (ROUNDUP) 5 KUALA LUMPUR

In SABAH, more than 170 contingents took part in the state-level National Day parade at Dataran Bandaraya, Kota Kinabalu, watched by thousands of visitors from as early as 6 am.

Governor Tun Musa Aman and his wife Toh Puan Faridah Tussin, as well as Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and his wife Datin Seri Juliah Salag, were among those attending the celebration,  which began with a choir performance before continuing with the parade of the Jalur Gemilang, Sabah flag and contingents representing various agencies and community organisations.

In PENANG, haze did not deter more than 10,000 people from gathering at Padang Kota Lama from as early as 7 am to watch the 2026 National Day parade and procession.

The event involved 125 contingents comprising 9,152 participants from state and Federal departments and agencies, statutory bodies, subsidiaries and NGOs.

The celebration was attended by Governor Tun Ramli Ngah Talib and his wife Toh Puan Raja Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and members of the state leadership.

Meanwhile, in JOHOR, the National Day celebration at Dataran Tanjung Emas, Muar, drew more than 10,000 Johoreans from various communities.

A total of 141 contingents took part, with the flypast and ceremonial procession led by the 7th Malaysian Infantry Brigade Band from Kem Mahkota, Kluang, followed by a contingent from the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Reserve Force Headquarters carrying the Jalur Gemilang.

In his address, Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi reminded all Johoreans to remember the struggles of previous generations and work together to preserve the state’s harmony and well-being.

In PAHANG, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah graced the National Day celebration at the Kuantan City Council grounds with more than 16,000 people who flocked to join the event since early morning.

Also present was Tengku Mahkota Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail was in attendance.

It is learned that the parachuting action carrying the giant Jalur Gemilang flag and the Pahang State Flag measuring four metres by six metres and weighing eight kilogrammes, performed during the event, will be recognised in the Malaysia Book of Records.

-- BERNAMA