Tourists mesmerised with Merdeka Day celebrations, patriotism

The National Day celebration at Dataran Merdeka here today drew not only to city dwellers and domestic tourists but also foreign visitors.

Muhammet Furken Eren, 20, from Turkey, who has been here since Thursday, noted that Malaysia comprised a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multilingual society, "living in peace and harmony, which reflected its properity".

"It's great looking at different ethnics expressing their devotion to celebrate the country's independence.

"It's far different with our (Turkey) independence day, it's lively, colourful and the citizens here are polite," he told Bernama, after the parade and performances to mark the historic occasion.

Japanese tourist, Natsumi Kageyama, 23, said she arrived on Thursday for her first visit to Malaysia, especially to see how the country celebrates National Day.

"The celebration was exciting and the people really portrayed the 'One Heart, One Soul' (Sehati Sejiwa) national day slogan," she said.

She said she was initially shocked at seeing a massive crowd in yellow T-shirt at the same venue two days ago and found out about the Bersih 4 rally after reading the news.

"But I noticed that even the demonstrators respected the National Day and did not interrupt today's occasion. Malaysians respect each other that is good.

"It's very exciting, and very happening.. I'm glad to be here to watch this celebration," she said.

Meanwhile, British couple, Graham Seabrook, 28, and Christine McNicol, 28, praised Malaysians for their sense of patriotism, "as was obvious at the national day celebration".

"Despite many unexpected incidents such as the earthquake and airplane tragedies, and even the rally yesterday, you can see the joy on the faces of the people who are living in this country," they said.