Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - A smaller allocation this year by the government for the 51st Merdeka Day (Independence Day) celebrations and a drizzle did not dampen the patriotic spirit of Malaysians to come out and celebrate the eve of the occasion at several locations in the federal capital Saturday night.
Gracing the celebration at Dataran Merdeka was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah who arrived at 11.45pm and were welcomed by Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and his wife Datin Seri Shuryani Shuaib. Mohd Shafie is the chairman of the Merdeka Day celebrations committee.
Also present were Cabinet ministers, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Abdul Hakim Borhan and foreign missions' representatives. The highlight of the celebration to mark Malaysia's independence day on August 31 were the seven shouts of 'Merdeka' by Abdullah followed by the raising of the Jalur Gemilang (national flag) by National Service trainees to the strains of the national anthem sung by the 30,000-odd crowd present. This was followed by a 10-minute fireworks show that lit up the skies of the city as those present sang this year's theme song "Unity The Pillar of Success".
The celebrations began at 8pm with a stage show of the arts and culture of the various races and included entertainment by artistes like Datuk M Daud Kilau, Dayang Nurfaezah, Raihan and Meet Uncle Hussein. Besides at Dataran Merdeka, various other programmes also took place around the city including at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) and Jalan Bukit Bintang. At KLCC more than 10,000 people started gathering at 8pm to wait till midnight, a tradition there now. The event at KLCC saw the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
There was entertainment by popular singers Faizal Tahir, Aisyah, Sheila Majid, Reshmonu, Jacklyn Victor and the Rabbani and Butterfingers groups.
At Jalan Bukit Bintang, the celebrations saw the presence of many foreign visitors who swelled the crowd at the popular tourist spot.
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