A BLAZE OF GLORY AT MALAYSIA'S 53RD NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 (Bernama) -- It was a sight to behold, a sound to
reckon with and a moment to cherish as intense patriotic spirit rose into the
air and hung there as thousands of people joined the national leaders for the
53rd National Day celebration at the Putra Stadium indoor arena in Bukit Jalil,
here.

The celebration, themed "1Malaysia Transforming the Nation", the first to be
held indoor, was marked by colourful performances, a 14-gun salute, reading of
pledge and awe-inspiring displays of grit and courage by the country's security
forces.

Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Queen Tuanku Nur Zahirah
arrived at the venue at 8am to the sound of trumpets and thunderous applause
from the 10,000 people at the stadium.

Present were Prime Minister Najib Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime
Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and wife Norainee Abdul Rahman, former prime minister
Dr Mahathir Mohamad and cabinet ministers, donning the specially-crafted
1Malaysia batik.

The King's arrival marked the start of the 90-minute celebration at the
stadium which has been the venue for many prestigious events either sports or
entertainment.

Their Majesties were earlier greeted by 940 contingent members comprising
500 National Service trainees and 440 students of the National Institute of
Public Administration (Intan) who lined up both sides of the road leading up to
the venue.

On arrival, His Majesty received the salute from four officers and 107
members of the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, followed by the
singing of the national anthem, Negaraku.

Tuanku Mizan also inspected the guard-of-honour mounted by the battalion,
with the spectators, many of them children, waving the national flag, Jalur
Gemilang (the Malaysian flagi).

The stadium erupted in patriotic fervour as seven shouts of "Merdeka"
reverberated up and around and through the hallways of the arena, followed by
the shouts of the slogan "1Malaysia, Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan"
(1Malaysia, People First, Performance Now).

As the rush of patriotic spirit was peaking, the celebration took a
heart-warming turn with the 1Malaysia special performance featuring eight
segments including story-telling which incorporated the display of lights, choir
performance and creative human formation to convey the 1Malaysia message.

The 1Malaysia segment, among others, showcased pictures of the country's
first prime minister, dubbed Father of Independence, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra
Al-Haj, as well as those of the first King until the current 13th King, and
photographs of the country's prime ministers since independence.

This was followed by the human formation, assisted by choral speaking
performance, and choir, for the 10th Malaysia Plan segment.

The spectators were glued to their seats as 1,640 performers went through
their paces, one fascinating segment after another, capturing the essence of the
various government initiatives and transformation plans such as the National Key
Result Areas and the New Economic Model.

There were also performances by the armed forces, including by members of
the anti-terrorism unit and commandos who performed a rescue operation to free
hostages.

The closing performance was by students of the Limkokwing University of
Creative Technology and teacher's institutes as well as members of cultural
groups, singing the 1Malaysia, Joget Malaysia and Jalur Gemilang songs.

All in all, the celebration, held indoor as a mark of respect for the
Ramadan month, involved 8,727 contingent members from departments and institutes
under the Education Ministry, security forces personnel, staff of government
agencies and departments as well as from the private sector.

In MIRI, Sarawak state Governor Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang
Barieng led the state-level 53rd National Day celebration at the Miri Indoor
Stadium.

The programmes included performances by the Sarawak Symphony Orchestra,
reading of the pledge by representatives of the various ethnic groups in Sarawak
and a kasih Malaysia dance performance.

More than 5,000 people thronged the stadium to participate in the
celebration which began at 8.30am.

In KANGAR, capital of Perlis state the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin
Syed Putra Jamalullail released 53 doves at the Taman Merdeka as a symbolic
commemoration of the country's independence.

The celebration was marked by a procession of vintage bicycles, classic
motorcycles, trishaws and national cars.

In KLUANG, Johor state, Johor Chief Minister Abdul Ghani Othman joined 3,000
people for the celebration at the Tunku Ibrahim Ismail Hall.

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

In KUANTAN, capital of Pahang state, the Crown Prince of Pahang Tengku
Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah joined over 3,000 people from 51 contingents at the
Pahang Indoor Stadium where a "human graphic" was performed.

In MELAKA, Governor Mohd Khalil Yaakub attended the National Day celebration
at the Melaka International Trade Centre in Ayer Keroh which involved 4,092
participants from 94 contingents.

Among the programmes were the singing of patriotic songs and poetry
declamations.

In PENANG, over 4,500 people from 82 contingents took part in the National
Day gathering in front of the state assembly building.

Present were Governor Abdul Rahman Abbas, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and
state executive councillors.

In ALOR SETAR, capital of Kedah state the celebration took place at the
Dewan Seri Negeri, Wisma Darulaman and started with the inspection of the
guard-of-honour by Sultan of Kedah Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.

Present were Sultanah of Kedah Sultanah Haminah Hamidun, Chief Minister
Azizan Abdul Razak and wife Faekah Sheikh Hamzah as well as state executive
council members.

In his speech, the sultan reminded the people to value peace to ensure
continued progress.

In KOTA KINABALU, the capital of Sabah state, Governor Ahmadshah Abdullah
joined 3,000 people for the National Day celebration at the Likas Sports Complex
multipurpose hall.

Among the programmes were Jalur Gemilang flag-raising, singing of patriotic
songs and reading of Rukun Negara (National Principles).

Present were Ahmadshah's wife Hajah Dayang Masuyah Awang Japar, Chief
Minister Musa Aman and wife Hajah Faridah Tussin as well as cabinet ministers.

In SEREMBAN, capital of Negeri Sembilan state the celebration took place at
the Seremban Municipal Council hall, participated by 3,000 people from 182
contingents.

Present were Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz ibni
Almarhum Tuanku Munawir and Tunku Ampuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Aishah
Rohani binti Almarhum Tengku Besar Mahmud, as well as Chief Minister Mohamad
Hasan.

In his speech, Mohamad reminded the people not to play with racial
sentiments as it could threaten the country's stability.

"Let's not destroy what has been built all this while. Let's continue to
contribute and propel the country to greater heights," he said.

In KUALA TERENGGANU, capital of Terengganu state, the National Day
celebration took place last night which was marked by the tahlil and solat hajat
(prayer of need) in mosques throughout the state.

Chief Minister Ahmad Said attended the event at the Crystal Mosque, Islamic
Civilisation Park.
Some 1,000 people attended the event.
-- BERNAMA