Only 1,600 early birds will get to attend celebrations

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KUALA LUMPUR: Only 1,600 people will be allowed into Dataran Parlimen for the National Day celebrations so those who want to take part have been advised to come early.

They will be let into the compound from 7am tomorrow, Infor-mation Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said yesterday.

It is anticipated that 7,000 people will witness the event outside Dataran Parlimen and there will be several huge screens around the parliament building to enable the public to witness the event.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is scheduled to arrive at Dataran Parlimen at about 7.30am.

Full-dress rehersal: A group of flag bearers rehearsing at Dataran Parlimen in Kuala Lumpur Saturday.

As the 52nd National Day celebrations will be held in the month of Ramadan, Rais advised those who were fasting and taking part in the celebrations to take care of their health.

“Although we are fasting, I hope all of us are in high spirits during the celebration,” he told members of the 52nd Independence Day Organising Committee after witnessing the full-dress rehearsal of the celebration at Dataran Parlimen here.

The prime minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, who is Bakti president, was also present to witness the Bakti choir and 1Malaysia dance rehearsals.

Speaking to reporters later, Rais said officers of the ministry would be making rounds in 25 vans to monitor and coordinate the movement of the participants.

“They will also be equipped with first aid kits,” he said, adding that students would not be involved in the celebrations this time round due to the concern over the Influenza A(H1N1).

The rehearsal involved 10,000 participants including National Service trainees, Teachers’ Training Institute trainees, staff of ministries, statutory bodies and private sectors.

As a mark of respect for Ramadan, the celebration would be held for only 40 minutes and without the usual parade.

Rais said that although the celebration would be moderate this year, it should not be viewed negatively as what was important was its impact.

“What is important is the message for all of us to make the 1Malaysia vision a reality,” he said.

One of the participants at the rehearsal, Mila Salim, 30, said

that although this year’s celebrations would not be on a grand scale, she was proud to be part of the event.

“Not everyone gets the opportunity to be a part of this prestigious event,” she added.

Another participant from Sabah, Mohd Fadley Wasriep, 19, said the 1Malaysia slogan was timely as it would unite the nation.