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Malaysians
colorful National Day celebrations
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By
Kazi Mahmood, IOL Correspondent
KUALA
LUMPUR, August 31 (IslamOnline) - Malaysians on Saturday, August 31,
2002, celebrated the 45th National day or “Merdeka Day” in fanfare
and joy all around Kuala Lumpur and all over the country, news
agencies reported from Kuala Lumpur.
Huge
crowds turned out at the National Day celebrations to see the annual
processions organized by the government to mark this auspicious day.
The
Merdeka Square reverberated with the beating of 1,584 drums by people
representing the various communities in the country as cultural
dancers in a panorama of colors danced their way along the procession.
A
total of 12,550 people from 51 contingents, 23 bands and 14 decorated
floats from government agencies, non-governmental organizations and
the private sector and uniformed organizations took part in the
procession in front of the 105-year-old Sultan Abdul Samad Building.
This
was where the Union Jack was lowered for the last time in 1957 and the
flag of the new independent nation was raised, Bernama news agency
wrote on Saturday.
The
crowd was exalted with the grandiose presentation at the Merdeka
Square but it was the skies that really attracted the children and
many adults.
Several
Military aircrafts flew past the square to honor the country and the
display of these aircrafts sent cheers of joy among the children. It
is not everyday that they are allowed to see jet fighters screaming in
the sky above the skyline of Kuala Lumpur, a parent said.
The
National Day parade at the historic Merdeka Square this morning had
also left many foreigners in awe, with one even remarking that the
procession looked like it was organized by the United Nations, Bernama
reported.
"Everyone is here...you have Malays, Chinese, Indians, you name
it they are all here...this parade reflects how the world should be,
one and united, no matter what race or religion you are...this kind of
parade should be organized by the United Nations," said Helen
Bruges, 45, a financial consultant from the United States, who is
visiting the country for the first time.
The three-hour parade kicked off with the arrival of The King of
Malaysia Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail and Queen
Tuanku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid. The Malaysian National Anthem was
played as soon as the royal couple arrived.
Then came the "Keranamu Malaysia" (For You Malaysia) theme
song that was sung in 15 different languages of the various ethnic
races while cultural dances of the myriad of races in the country were
performed.
The procession, participated by quite a large number of associations
and government agencies, comprised the major races in the country,
reflecting the true population mix of Malaysia.
In
his speech on the National day, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said
called on Malaysians to renew their resolve to uphold the nation's
freedom, to forge ahead and to contribute in ensuring its peace,
prosperity and resilience.
He
said that National Day celebrated every year was actually for
Malaysians to remind themselves and appreciate the fact that they were
fortunate to be free and independent and capable of ruling and
developing their own country.
"It's true that we're not safe just because we have achieved
independence. The danger of colonization still threatens us. If we're
not careful, if we fail to appreciate our independence, if we were to
allow ourselves to be instigated that we are prepared to topple our
government, then we shouldn't regret if we were decolorized.
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance," Mahathir said
in his National Day message aired over radio and television.
He said that if the participation of foreign power in the country's
economic activities was not curtailed, they would be in control of the
economy and would invite interference in the determination of the
country's leadership and all domestic and foreign policies.
Shopping
complexes were filled with people window-shopping after their stint at
the Merdeka Square. A huge crowd submerged the Kuala Lumpur City
Center where the tallest building on earth is located, making
impossible to move around.
