Crowds Pack Dataran Putrajaya For National Day Parade

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 31 (Bernama) -- Crowds began filling Dataran Putrajaya from last night to witness the National Day parade, which began at 8 am today.

A Bernama check found that as early as 8 pm yesterday, members of the public had already started gathering at the venue, bringing mats and chairs to secure the best spots to witness yet another historic moment for the nation.

This morning’s fine weather eased movement for both visitors and parade participants.

Visitor Sara Ishak, 40, said she left her home in Kajang at 3 am to give her two children, aged 10 and six, the chance to get a closer view of the colourful parade near the main stage.

“Last year we arrived late, so we couldn’t see the parade clearly. This time my children were so excited that they were willing to walk more than a kilometre to get a front-row spot,” she told Bernama.

Meanwhile, Haznil Hafizi, 26, said he drove over 400 kilometres from Sungai Petani, Kedah to Putrajaya just to attend this year’s National Day parade.

“My brother was selected to join the Armed Forces parade. I’m thrilled as this is our first time attending in person. Our family didn’t mind walking nearly two kilometres as we didn’t want to miss this historic moment for both the country and our family,” he said.

The 2025 National Day celebration, themed ‘Malaysia MADANI: Rakyat Disantuni’, began at 7 am with the arrival of national leaders, followed by the arrival of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.

A total of 81 contingents involving 14,062 participants are taking part in the parade and procession, which also feature 21 marching bands, seven decorated vehicles, 508 land and air assets, and 116 service animals.

Pang Chee Wei, 45, said it was his first time attending the event with his family in Putrajaya, having previously marked the occasion in Tangkak, Johor.

“In previous years, we celebrated National Day in our hometown, but this year we decided to come to Putrajaya to witness the national-level celebration. I’m very excited and happy with the lively atmosphere here. We love Malaysia,” he said.

S. Dishaine, 18, said she was delighted to be at Dataran Putrajaya to witness the 2025 National Day parade.

“As a Malaysian, I’m proud to see so many people coming together to celebrate Merdeka, regardless of religion, race or background,” she said.

Meanwhile, Spanish tourist Jose Castillo, 22, said Malaysia’s Independence Day celebration was an experience he did not want to miss, adding that his trip was inspired by a close friend from Romania studying at Universiti Malaya (UM).

“He told me he had a great experience at a previous celebration, and I’m happy to share in the joy of Independence Day here in Malaysia. Everyone spoke so highly of this country, especially its people… now I can see it’s true,” he said.

Castillo added that he hopes to take home fond memories of Malaysia’s unity in diversity, which he described as the true spirit of independence.

-- BERNAMA