KUALA LUMPUR: For the first time ever, the National Day parade will feature the participation of the Creative Industry and Broadcasting Contingent, which is made up of various agencies and local media companies.
Twenty employees from the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) will also be part of the contingent to enliven the celebration and make personal memories.
According to Zakiah Che Rouse, 52, an administrative assistant in Bernama’s Corporate Affairs Division, the contingent comprised not only media personnel from government agencies but also from private companies.
“This time, we will not be marching under the Communications and Digital Ministry (KKD) as usual. Instead, our friends from other agencies, such as Astro, Media Prima, and Awesome TV, will also be joining us,” she said when met here.
Zakiah expressed pride and excitement for being selected to participate in this year’s National Day celebration, her second experience after joining last year.
“By participating, we feel like we are doing something for Bernama and our country. Of course, it is tiring because we have to go to practice as early as 5 am. But due to our love for the country, we feel happy and are able to forget about feeling tired,” she said.
Sabah-born Mohd Tadzman Utuh Tang, 39, said the new element brought this year gave him the opportunity to meet new friends from other agencies and media companies.
“This is my third time participating in the National Day parade. The first was with the Youth and Sports Ministry and then with KKD last year. I am really excited because this is a big event at the national level,” said the administrative assistant at Bernama Digital Library.
Meanwhile, a trainee from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Puncak Perdana, Shah Alam, Selangor, Rahaidah Hairul Anuar said she was willing to spend RM80 to buy the required uniform for the parade.
“Even though our clothes are sponsored, we have to buy a headscarf that matches the colour of the Malaysian flag and a pair of black shoes.
“The theme? Well…you’ll have to come see it for yourself,” she said.
With the theme of Malaysia MADANI: Tekad Perpaduan, Penuhi Harapan, the National Day 2023 celebration will be held at Dataran Putrajaya on Aug 31.
In addition to the Creative Industry and Broadcasting Contingent, nine more contingents will participate in the parade, namely the Nationhood Contingent, the Malaysian Madani Unity Contingent, the Economy Contingent and the Banking Contingent.
Also participating are the Telecommunications Contingent, Community Contingent, National Sports Contingent, as well as National Welfare and Security Contingent. – BERNAMA
