Age not a factor for senior citizens to join in National Day celebration

Age is not a factor for senior citizens to join in the National Day celebration and express their love for the country along with 15,000 others who attended the state-level celebration at Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens here today.

Gamat Gopong, 66, from Tamparuli, said this year's celebration was quite different from the previous ones as it was celebrated in a moderate scale despite the increased number of attendees.

"I arrived here with my wife and two grandchildren at around 5am, but the parking lots were already full.

"Although it was quite congested and difficult to watch the parade, I stayed until the end," he told Bernama.

Tahir Mail, 60, from Tawau, on the other hand, said he and his friends arrived here three days ago as they were involved in the parade.

"This is the first time we were involved in the state-level National Day parade," he said, adding that it was his love for the country that led him to be one of the participants in the parade.

Karim Abdullah, 69, from Tuaran, said there were many ways to express one's love to the country and for him, joining in the National Day celebration was one of it.

"Supporting the National Day celebration is also a way to express our patriotism...although it was hot and quite congested, I'm all set to watch the parade, especially by the national security forces," he said.

The state-level National Day parade which began at 6.45 am involved 191 contingents comprising public and private agencies, non-governmental organisation, institutions of higher learning, schools and Sabah ethnic groups.

It was also attended by Sabah Governor Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his wife Toh Puan Norlidah R.M Jasni, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and State Cabinet line-up. - BERNAMA