Thousands gathered at Dataran Putrajaya for the National Day 2026 full rehearsal, featuring military assets, jets and a 1,500-student human graphic.
PUTRAJAYA: Dataran Putrajaya came alive with uniformed contingents, Jalur Gemilang and the roar of national assets during today’s full rehearsal for the 2026 National Day celebrations.
Beginning at 8 am, the rehearsal provided a preview of Monday’s celebrations, featuring corporate and government-linked companies (GLCs) and colourful special performances.
Patriotic songs and drum performances at the Gema Inovasi MADANI special event helped lift the mood among thousands of people who had gathered at Dataran Putrajaya from as early as 6 am.
A Bernama check found that families from various ethnic and social backgrounds brought their children to watch the event as the school holidays began, and stayed until the rehearsal ended at 10 am.
Nurmaizatul Fatihah Hanif, 32, from Kajang, Selangor, said she and her three children had attended to show their support for her younger sibling, who is a student at Universiti Pertahanan Malaysia and is taking part in the giant flag procession.
She said it was the first time her children had seen the parade in person, having watched it only on television in previous years.
“Merdeka Day is always exciting, and watching the parade is something we look forward to. My children were especially excited when they heard the jets during the display, as we usually only see them on television. They were also thrilled to see the cute mascots,” she said.
Meanwhile, Nur Hafizza Mohd Shukri, 24, said the aerial display and K9 unit’s performance had encouraged her to return for the main celebration on Aug 31.
“I’m planning to come back here on Monday and leave home early, so I don’t miss the main events. Hopefully, it will be a lively celebration, with cooler weather and no rain,” she said.
Among the highlights of the 2026 National Day and Malaysia Day (HKHM) rehearsal was a human graphic performance involving 1,500 students from 36 schools in Selangor.
Moving in formations to the music and changing their visuals as contingents passed through the main area, the students created a dynamic display that complemented each segment of the performance.
The display of the country’s defence assets was another highlight, featuring the PT-91M Pendekar 125mm tank, Lipan Bara high-mobility armoured vehicles and Gempita multipurpose amphibious armoured vehicles in various weapon configurations, including 30mm AFV and ATGW variants.
The assets demonstrated the Malaysian Armed Forces’ capabilities and operational readiness in safeguarding national sovereignty.
A total of 10,819 participants will take part in the 2026 HKHM parade and procession, involving 76 contingents, 22 marching bands, 11 decorated vehicles, 328 land, sea, and air assets, and 112 service animals.
More than 80,000 people are expected at the 69th National Day celebrations at Dataran Putrajaya, themed “Malaysia MADANI: Kesejahteraan Dinikmati”.
