Planning to catch the Merdeka 2025 National Day parade this weekend? Here’s your essential guide to celebrating Malaysia’s 68th year of independence.
With less than a week to go, Malaysia is preparing to mark its 68th year of independence with a celebration of remarkable scale. Merdeka, observed annually on 31 August, has been the nation’s most cherished day of pride since 1957, bringing Malaysians together in a powerful display of unity and patriotism.
This year’s National Day parade promises the same grandeur that has defined the occasion for decades. Much like other independence commemorations across the region, the event captures the essence of the country’s identity, from the discipline of its armed and civil services to the warmth of its multicultural communities.
For those planning to witness Merdeka 2025 firsthand, this guide sets the stage for what to expect from one of Malaysia’s most significant and spirited national traditions.
Where will the Merdeka 2025 National Day parade take place?
For the third year running, the Merdeka 2025 parade will be held at Putrajaya Square (Dataran Putrajaya) on Sunday, 31 August 2025, beginning at 7 AM.
The day’s proceedings will commence with the arrival of distinguished guests at 7.15 AM, followed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at 7.50 AM, and finally, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at 8 AM. The parade itself is expected to wrap up by around 10 AM.
This year’s celebrations will bring together 14,010 participants, including seven marching bands, seven decorative floats, and more than 500 assets from the armed forces and enforcement agencies. The 2.1 km parade route will also be equipped with ample facilities for the public, including 18 medical tents, five prayer rooms, and 200 mobile washrooms.
Adding to the festivities, RIUH will be hosting its signature Merdeka marketplace. It’s a 30-hour non-stop event showcasing local curators. Taking place at the car park in front of the Millennium Monument, the market will run continuously from 30 to 31 August 2025.
How to get to the Merdeka 2025 National Day parade?
Visitors heading to Putrajaya are strongly advised to take advantage of public transport to avoid traffic congestion. The MRT Putrajaya Line will be the most convenient option, with trains accessible from major neighbourhoods across the Klang Valley such as Sungai Buloh, Damansara, Kepong, and central Kuala Lumpur.
To accommodate the anticipated crowds, organisers have doubled spectator seating to 8,000 and prepared 15,000 parking spaces supported by free shuttle services.
From the Putrajaya Sentral MRT Station, the MS01 shuttle bus will take passengers directly to Jalan Tun Abdul Razak free of charge. Two other shuttle routes will also be available across Putrajaya on the day.
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Shuttle bus services:
- MS01: MRT Putrajaya Sentral – Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, Precinct 2 (30 August, 12 PM – 31 August, 2 PM)
- MS02: PICC main lobby – Jalan Tun Hussein, Precinct 3 (31 August, 4 AM – 2 PM)
- MS03: Taman Botani – Putra Square (31 August, 4 AM – 2 PM)
In addition, all major public transport systems including the LRT, MRT, Monorail, Sunway BRT, select bus routes, and Rapid KL On-Demand services will run for 24 hours starting 6 AM on 30 August until 11.30 PM on 31 August. Travellers are reminded to ensure their Touch ‘n Go cards are topped up to avoid delays.
For those keen on something different, free water taxis and a Putrajaya Lake Cruise will be available on 31 August from 5 AM to 2 PM:
Water taxis:
- Jeti Ayer@8, Precinct 8 – Jeti Monumen, Precinct 2 (every 10 minutes)
- Jeti Kelab Tasik Putrajaya, Precinct 8 – Jeti Monumen, Precinct 2 (every 15 minutes)
Putrajaya Lake Cruise:
- Jeti Marina, Precinct 5 – Jeti Anjung Floria, Precinct 4 (every 20 minutes)
Those choosing to drive may park at the designated areas:
- Precinct 1 (2,500 bays)
- Precinct 8 (2,000 bays)
- Ayer@8, Precinct 8 (1,150 bays)
- Precinct 9 (3,000 bays)
- Precinct 18 (2,500 bays)
- Putrajaya International Convention Centre (3,500 bays)
For viewers who prefer to celebrate from home, the entire event will be broadcast live via RTM, accessible on the broadcaster’s official website.
(Hero and feature images credit: Getty Images/ Alexandra Radu, Anadolu Agency)
