By Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz
SINGAPORE, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- Regent of Johor Tunku Mahkota Ismail and his consort Che' Puan Mahkota Khaleeda Johor attended Singapore’s National Day Parade (NDP) at the Padang on Saturday, held to celebrate the city-state’s 60th year of independence.
Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also attended the diamond jubilee celebration, representing the Malaysian government and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, at the invitation of the Singapore government.
Other regional leaders in attendance were the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
This is the first time foreign dignitaries were invited to the NDP since 2019.
The NDP 2025, themed “Majulah Singapura” after the national anthem, began with a pre-parade segment featuring the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) parachute team, known as the Red Lions, who parachuted into the historic venue to the delight of 27,000 spectators.
They were joined by naval divers from the Republic of Singapore Navy, who descended upon Marina Bay to complete the inaugural “Jump of Unity.”
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong arrived at the venue at 6.30 pm, officially commencing the main event.
The parade and ceremony segment featured 40 marching contingents – the largest number to take part in an NDP held at the Padang since 1990.
It opened with a dazzling military tattoo, showcasing performances by the SAF Band, Singapore Police Force Band, and student performers.
Overhead, the Republic of Singapore Air Force delivered a special aerial tribute, captivating the over 27,000 crowd.
The Mobile Column, returning to the Padang for the first time since 2019, featured a combined aerial-flypast, maritime display and drive-past involving assets from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, SAF, and Home Team agencies.
A total of 170 assets participated in the segment, including debut appearances by the Singapore Army’s Hunter Armoured Engineer Vehicle and TPQ-53 Weapon Locating Radar, as well as the Republic of Singapore Navy’s Combatant Craft Underwater.
Meanwhile, the show segment, comprising four acts inspired by the national anthem, featured a talented line-up of 39 local artistes and over 3,000 performers from various organisations including rock legend Datuk Ramli Sarip.
This year’s show also included a specially designed 360-degree centre stage — the largest mobile stage ever used in NDP history.
The evening culminated in a cascade of fireworks and a nationwide “Majulah Moment”, during which the Public Warning System was sounded at strategic points island-wide, inviting all Singaporeans to collectively recite the National Pledge and sing the national anthem, Majulah Singapura.
The National Day celebrations will continue on Sunday at five heartland locations, bringing the festivities closer to Singaporeans across the island.
-- BERNAMA
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