KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 — The sound of the roaring aircraft during the fly-past for the National Day celebration at Dataran Merdeka in 1998 remains the most exciting moment and fondest memory for Izham Syazwan Ibrahim, 31, a shipping executive.
It was 24 years ago and he was only seven years old then, but the memory lives on.
“The atmosphere of the celebration ignites patriotism, a feeling that has deeply etched in my mind.
“I was impressed with the strength and capabilities of our security forces. During the flypast, I was overwhelmed with emotion, it aroused a patriotic feeling,” he told Bernama.
And, with the return of the National Day celebration this year, Izham, who has two children said, he is really excited to celebrate the occasion again at Dataran Merdeka this Wednesday after not being able to do so for four years.
Most important, he said, his children Muhammad Izham Syazwan, 5, and Kauthar Izham Syazwan, 3, will also get to feel the excitement as he would bring them to Dataran Merdeka to witness the celebration
Kuala Lumpur-born Izham said the National Day celebration at Dataran Merdeka gave him a nostalgic feeling and of sentimental value.
“It has become mandatory for me to bring my children to witness the celebration at the square and I will continue to do so many many more years
Also sharing the nostalgic feeling is digital marketing specialist V. Kavinraj, 31, who said he is happy that the National Day parade is back and is excited to go to Dataran Merdeka to witness the celebration.
“My parents are the ones responsible for encouraging me since I was young, to participate in the National Day celebration, and over time it has become an annual activity for us,” he said.
Kavinraj said he and his friends will also fly the Jalur Gemilang on their car and also have the flag flown at their homes to enliven the National Month in the spirit of patriotism.
“As a Malaysian, I am very proud of the uniqueness of Malaysia with its multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious society living in harmony. Even my overseas friends are impressed by this,” he said.
Meanwhile, chairman of the Research Centre for History, Politics and International Affairs, Assoc Professor Dr Mohd Samsudin opined that with the country not been able to celebrate National Day on a grand scale for the past two years due to the COVID-19, he believed this year’s celebration would make Malaysians more appreciative of the meaning of independence.
“During the colonial era, we were also not free, the people suffered, life was difficult and when I look back, there are things related to COVID-19 that remind me of the past, including how the community came together and helped those who were affected,” he said.
The 2022 National Day this Aug 31 will be celebrated in a grand manner at Dataran Merdeka. The last time National Day was celebrated at Dataran Merdeka was in 2017.
Dataran Merdeka became a historic location that witnessed the lowering of the Union Jack and the raising of the Jalur Gemilang for the first time and since then, it has become the place where the National Day parade is held.
