KUALA LUMPUR: Students will not be taking part in this year's National Day celebrations to be held for the first time at Parliament Square.
Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said this was because parents were concerned that their children might contract influenza A (H1N1).
"A total of 10,302 people will be part of this year's parade and we are not taking any chances with them.
"If they are sick on National Day, there will be someone on standby to replace them," he said after the 40-minute rehearsal of the parade at Parliament Square yesterday.
| Participants rehearse their moves for the closed National Day parade tomorrow in Parliament Square. |
"We have also advised those involved in the parade to keep their hands to themselves, literally. They should not shake hands or touch others unnecessarily as this is one of the preventative measures being taken."
Also present was the wife of the prime minister, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, and wives of several other ministers.
Rais said Parliament Square could accommodate up to 1,600 people while some 7,000 people were expected outside the parade grounds.
"If the weather is good and it does not rain we will put up screens outside Parliament Square so that the public can have a better view of what's happening," he said.
Previous National Day parades were usually held at Dataran Merdeka but this year's celebration was scaled down because of Ramadan and influenza A, which has claimed 71 lives.
"Although it looks like this year's celebration will not be as grand as in previous years, we are confident that it will be as good.
"If it is a success, we might continue it at the same venue."
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