20,000 to participate in National Day parade at Dataran Merdeka - Annuar

Annuar, who is chairman of the Main Committee for National Day and Malaysia Day 2022 Celebrations, said the number had increased compared to the previous 16,000 participants, to meet the requests of various parties who wanted to be part of the historic occasion.

"We started with 10,000 participants then increased to 16,000 participants and now we have almost 20,000 participants.

"The response was extraordinary. In fact, the number of participants and assets is the largest we have ever had," he told reporters after watching the full rehearsal today.

Annuar said he was satisfied with the preparations and hoped everything would run smoothly as planned during the actual ceremony on Wednesday.

Annuar also advised the public who wanted to witness the parade to arrive before 7.30 am to avoid congestion as several roads would be closed.

After a two-year lapse due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Day main celebration themed 'Keluarga Malaysia Teguh Bersama' will be back on Aug 31, with some 50,000 people expected to converge at the historic square beginning 7 am.

Among the highlights is the arrival of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah on a horse-drawn carriage from Menara DBKL.