Today is Hari Pahlawan or Warriors’ Day in Malaysia, a day on which our country commemorates the servicemen killed during WWI, WWII and the Malayan Emergency, as well as honours all Malaysian servicemen killed in the line of duty throughout history.
Accordingly, a parade was held at Dataran Pahlawan earlier today organised by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and features the concept of a static combat parade involving 6 contingents, namely:
- PDRM
- Malaysian Army
- Royal Malaysian Navy
- Royal Malaysian Air Force
- The Veterans Association of Malaysian Armed Forces
- Malaysian Ex-Police Association
The event was attended by His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Her Majesty Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Maimunah Iskandariah.
Besides that, other notable guests of honour include Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain and Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Affendi Buang.
One of the highlights of the national celebration of Hari Pahlawan today has got to be the special pantomime performance titled ‘Op Daulat Kampung Simunul’.
A touching tribute to the 150 officers, police personnel and family members of those who died in the intrusion by Sulu terrorists in Kampung Air Sri Jaya, Simunul in Semporna, Sabah, a decade ago, the performance visibly moved those in the audience.
Saya dan Azizah mengiringi Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah dan Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah ke Istiadat Perbarisan Sambutan Hari Pahlawan Tahun 2023 di Dataran Pahlawan Negara.#MalaysiaMADANI pic.twitter.com/TTJaAuE10x
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) July 31, 2023
In a series of photos shared by the Prime Minister on Twitter, His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Her Majesty Raja Permaisuri Agong were brought to tears by the touching tribute to the Malaysian Armed Forces.
Following the pantomime performance, His Majesty took the time to meet the next of kin of the victims who died in the tragedy. Daulat Tuanku!
Meanwhile, in the Prime Minister’s social media post, he asserted that while the tragedy happened 10 years ago, the incident still holds a deep impact on Malaysia and its people. Anwar also took the time to meet the next of kin of the victims.
Selamat Hari Pahlawan! Thank you to all our Malaysian heroes for your sacrifices and service for our beloved nation <3
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