Kota Kinabalu: Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor led thousands of Malaysians in Sabah for the National Day celebrations at Dataran Bandaraya here today.
People turned up as early as 6.30am to watch the National Day parade at the Dataran Bandaraya along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens.
The celebration began with the arrival of Tun Juhar and wife Toh Puan Norlidah Tan Sri R M Jasni at the Grand Stand in front of the Promenade Hotel, where they were greeted by the Chief Minister and main organising chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun.
Tun Juhar later inspected the 113-strong guard of honour from the 22nd Battalion of the Malay Regiment, Sandakan led by Major Mohd Adam Embi.
The parade started with the helicopter fly-past squadron comprising the Police Air Unit, Malaysian Navy and Maritime Enforcement Agency.
A total of 114 contingents representing the security forces, uniform bodies, ministries, schools, higher learning institutions, ethnic cultural associations, NGOs and private sectors participated in the march past competition.
Twenty-eight motorcades also participated. Also present were Speaker Datuk Kadzim Yahya, Deputy Chief Minister I, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Joachim Gunsalam, Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong, cabinet ministers and other dignitaries.
-Deasoka
