More Than 20,000 Kelantan Residents Join Independence Eve Celebration in Kota Bharu

More than 20,000 Kelantan residents filled Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium in Kota Bharu for a National Day eve celebration led by Chief Minister Mohd Nassuruddin Daud.

The crowd responded to seven chants of “Merdeka,” while a Malaysian Armed Forces unarmed combat demonstration provided the evening’s most dramatic spectacle. Performers jumped through flaming hoops and broke concrete slabs, including slabs set alight, before fireworks lit up the stadium.

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It is through this spirit of love for the country that our national history was carved out through the chain of struggles by independence fighters, who rose to defend their beloved land with all their strength, courage and sacrifice.

The program began at 8 p.m. with the Ambang Merdeka Carnival, which included special prayers, a patriotic prayer gathering, percussion performances and national songs. At 9:30 p.m., 69 contingents from Kelantan departments, agencies and institutions joined the parade.

Nassuruddin told those attending not to leave empty-handed, but to carry home a strong spirit of love for the country, or “hubbul watan.” He recalled the courage and sacrifice of independence fighters who resisted colonial rule until the declaration of independence on Aug. 31, 1957, and urged residents not to squander that legacy.

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They never bowed to colonialism, but continued fighting until the declaration of independence echoed on Aug. 31, 1957. We must never squander this hard-won legacy.