More than 30,000 attend Negeri Sembilan state National Day celebration

More than 30,000 people gathered in Seremban for Negeri Sembilan’s 69th state-level National Day celebration, which included more than 4,000 participants from 82 contingents.

The contingents represented government departments and agencies, statutory bodies, district administrations, nongovernmental organizations, schools, higher-education institutions and private companies. Tuanku Muhriz, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, attended the celebration.

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We were worried that people and the contingents would be exposed for too long in the haze. That is why we reduced the number of contingents and assets. Thankfully, the haze readings are fine today and the weather is good.

The ceremony opened with a guard of honor involving personnel from the 15th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment at Senawang Camp. A combined military band accompanied the ceremony, followed by a recitation of the Rukun Negara pledge and prayers led by Negeri Sembilan’s mufti.

Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim said organizers had reduced the number of contingents and assets shortly before the event because haze could have exposed participants and spectators for too long. He said air quality had improved and the weather was good on the day. Ismail also said people began arriving as early as 5:30 a.m., describing their attendance as evidence of strong enthusiasm for National Day.

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Their attendance alone shows that they are enthusiastic about celebrating the country’s Independence Day.