KUALA LUMPUR: Dataran Putrajaya is ready to host thousands of participants, a showcase of national assets and vibrant performances for tomorrow’s 69th National Day celebration.

Carrying the theme “Malaysia Madani: Kesejahteraan Dinikmati”, this year’s celebration features programmes aimed at fostering patriotism while highlighting the nation’s history, identity and spirit of independence.

His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, are scheduled to grace the celebration, which will also be attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and members of the cabinet.

The event, scheduled to begin at 8am, involves 10,819 parade participants across 76 contingents, 22 marching bands, 11 float vehicles, 328 land, naval and air assets, 112 working animals and 22 electric vehicle (EV) assets.

The programme will feature statehood, public well-being, public order and national security components, followed by an air show and a special performance titled “Rentak Madani, Paluan Tradisi”.

Opening the event, the “Gema Inovasi Madani” performance, coordinated by the National Department for Culture and Arts under the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, will feature a fusion of traditional percussion and innovation to highlight togetherness.

Using 150 musical instruments and 700 traditional and innovative kompang (frame drums), the opening performance will showcase percussion instruments representing Malaysia’s main ethnic groups as symbols of well-being, harmony, goodwill and loyalty.

The performance will also embody the Madani spirit by celebrating cultural heritage, innovation, unity and national identity through creative approaches that connect traditional elements with modern innovation.

The statehood component will feature, among others, a large Jalur Gemilang-bearing contingent accompanied by army, navy and air force cadet officers from the National Resilience Leadership Academy and National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM), alongside a National Service Training Programme (PLKN) contingent.

The sports and well-being component will feature national athletes and medallists from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, showcasing Malaysian excellence on the national and international stage.

The public well-being and economy component will bring together service providers and private sector entities, including Munchy’s Malaysia, ZUS Coffee, Siti Khadijah Apparel Sdn Bhd, the Malaysian Security Industry Association, MR DIY Group (M) Bhd, Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Bhd and Carsome Sdn Bhd.

The public order component will involve agencies including the Malaysia Civil Defence Force, Road Transport Department and Fire and Rescue Department, highlighting their roles in safeguarding the security and well-being of the people.

Also joining the parade is the Johor Military Force, Malaysia’s oldest military unit, which plays a role in defending the sovereignty and security of the Johor Royal Institution.

Meanwhile, floats for the Visit Malaysia Year 2026-2027 campaign will showcase state tourism icons, flora and fauna, traditional attire and traditional musical instruments from Malaysia’s diverse communities.

Airline strategic partners Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Batik Air and Air Borneo will also take part, while national animation studio Les’ Copaque will feature popular characters Upin and Ipin to enhance the celebration’s appeal among younger audiences and families.

The parade will also feature a human graphics performance involving 1,500 students from 36 schools in Selangor, who will form moving formations synchronised to music, with visual changes throughout the performance.

The event will culminate in an air show featuring Royal Malaysian Air Force fighter jets flying above the nation’s administrative centre, showcasing the country’s defence capabilities and assets before thousands of spectators.

Berjanji”, composed and performed by singer Faizal Tahir, will add to the patriotic atmosphere as the celebration concludes at about 10am.

Yesterday, Communications Minister and chairman of the Main Committee for the National Day and Malaysia Day (HKHM) 2026 Celebrations Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil advised visitors to Dataran Putrajaya to wear N95 face masks to protect themselves from the haze, in line with Health Ministry advice, particularly for high-risk people.

The HKHM 2026 organisers will also provide N95 face masks to more than 10,000 National Day participants to help safeguard their health.

Meanwhile, the Home Affairs Ministry, through a Facebook infographic, advised the public to plan their journeys and use public transport due to the full closure of Putrajaya’s Core Island area from Aug 30 at 5am until Aug 31 at 6pm.

The road closures will involve five main bridges — Seri Wawasan Bridge, Seri Saujana Bridge, Seri Gemilang Bridge, Putra Bridge and Seri Ehsan Bridge — along with several routes surrounding central Putrajaya.