The National Day celebration this year will see the incorporation of fast-paced elements with most of the segments
dominated by participants from the younger generation, Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim said.
He said youths made up 85 per cent of participants in the parade and field performances which would showcase energetic choreography to keep pace with the aspirations of the youth and to reflect the importance of the Government Transformation Programme (GTP).
“The younger generation, those aged 40 and below, is being given special attention in drawing up the programme this time around, and this can be seen in all components of the celebration,” he told reporters after witnessing the full
dress rehearsal for the celebration here today.
The celebration returns to Dataran Merdeka this year after being held at the Parliament compound in 2009 and at the Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil last year.
The celebration on Friday will be held simultaneously with the Malaysia Day.
He said members of the younger generation were given the focus as it was they who would represent the country’s interest in the future given that they formed 48 per cent of the population.
Rais, who is the main organising committee chairman, said this was also to instill a strong sense of patriotism among the youth so that they would be able to shoulder the task of leading the country in the future.
The parade and combat performances, combining for the first time personnel from police and armed forces, would be among the highlights in the nearly two-hour celebration.
He was satisfied with how the rehearsal was conducted. It involved 10,000 participants including students, teachers, police and armed forces personnel as well as government and private sector employees.
He called on the people to come and witness the celebration, saying it would be more meaningful to have an all-round participation.
“Don’t let this auspicious day to pass by without us taking part in it,” he said.
– Bernama
CJMY
Jimmy Tan
