57th Merdeka day celebration attracts 400,000 spectators - Ahmad Shabery

Approximately 400,000 people flocked to the Dataran Merdeka and its surrounding areas today to join the country's 57th Merdeka celebration and watch the Merdeka Day parade, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said.

He said this was made possible with the introduction of Malaysia's favourite animation characters, Upin and Ipin, as the co-emcees for the event this year.

"The Merdeka celebration is not about parents taking their children along to Dataran Merdeka anymore, (but) I was made to understand that this year, it was the children who brought their parents along," he told reporters after attending the event.

On the event, which was celebrated in the scale of moderation following the tragedies that had befallen Malaysia Airlines flights this year, Ahmad Shabery said that the people's patriotism spirit must remain high and strong in facing life's big challenges.

"It is moderation in the celebration, but not in the (patriotic) spirit. The spirit must remain high and strong. We did not go to extreme in doing this, but this moderate-scale celebration is the most meaningful.

"This is where love begins, including our love for those who lost everything in the (MH370 and MH17) tragedies," he said.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said although the country was still saddened by the tragedies, the people's patriotic spirit remained strong to face life's challenges.

"This was interpreted by their presence at the Dataran Merdeka today," he said.

Meanwhile, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said despite being celebrated on a moderate scale, it was enough to boost the people's spirit and defence to face future challenges.

"We need this to build up our internal strength to fight outside threats and enemies who try to cause disharmony in our country," he told Bernama.

Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hasan Malek, on the other hand, said this year's Merdeka celebration was a big success, thanks to the cooperation from people from all walks of life.

"The prime minister, in his Merdeka message last night, also said that through unity and solidarity, we are capable of creating more success stories to leave to the future generation," he said.