KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 — The 56th Merdeka Day parade reflects the love for the country in accordance with the theme of the celebration ‘My Sovereign Malaysia: My Homeland’, said Prime Minister Datuk Najib Razak. 

“I feel as though my hair stands on end, seeing how high the patriotic spirit shown,” he said when addressing the participants and thousands of spectators shortly after the parade at the Merdeka Square here today.

Accompanied by his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, who is the 56th Merdeka Day organising committee chairman, Najib commended and thanked various committees, the security forces, the public and private sectors, and students taking part in the parade.

He said the theme was very apt as “we were born in our homeland Malaysia, we grew up in our homeland Malaysia, we make a living in our homeland Malaysia, and God willing, we will be buried in our homeland Malaysia.”

It also embodies a great meaning to the independence which calls on people to defend it with their life and soul, he said. — Bernama