People come together to celebrate Pesta Harapan Malaysia 2018 in Petaling Jaya September 15, 2018. — Picture by Azinuddin Ghazali
People come together to celebrate Pesta Harapan Malaysia 2018 in Petaling Jaya September 15, 2018. — Picture by Azinuddin Ghazali

PETALING JAYA, Sept 15 — Malaysians from all walks of life flooded Padang Timur here today to usher in Malaysia Day at the Pesta Harapan Malaysia Unity Concert.

The carnival-like atmosphere began early in the evening with crowds trickling in by 5pm as they thronged exhibition booths, food trucks and a car boot sale.

Malaysians leave their messages of hope and love at a booth in Kuala Lumpur, September 15, 2018.  — Picture by Azinuddin Ghazali
Malaysians leave their messages of hope and love at a booth in Kuala Lumpur, September 15, 2018. — Picture by Azinuddin Ghazali

As the sun sets and the lights came on, the numbers in attendance swelled as the stage was set for performances from the likes of local indie band Couple, multi-talented celebrity Soo Wincci, and the beats of White Percussion Uni, amongst many others to warm the crowd up.

With a star-studded line-up that also included top acts in Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Jaclyn Victor and Bunkface, political figures and celebrities partied away into the countdown to midnight, as top comedians Kavin Jay and Papi Zak kept the momentum of the party going.

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Nearing the end of the event, guest of honour Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed his wish to see success for Malaysia and its people.

“We have done well in some areas. Some of us at least have destroyed the institutions in this country but we will go on to fight corruption.

“We will make sure to build courage to rebuild Malaysia and that is the role of the young.

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“This is new Malaysia that promises the participation of the youth because this country will do its best for the youth,” Anwar said after receiving the declaration of youth from representatives of youth groups.

Hosts Kavin Jay and Papi Zak kept the crowd in stitches at the Malaysia Day celebration in Kuala Lumpur, September 15, 2018.  — Picture by Azinuddin Ghazali
Hosts Kavin Jay and Papi Zak kept the crowd in stitches at the Malaysia Day celebration in Kuala Lumpur, September 15, 2018. — Picture by Azinuddin Ghazali

With fireworks and the flag-off of the 5km LED Harapan Run, the Pesta Harapan Malaysia is set to continue next week with the Malaysian qualifier for the World Electronic Sports Games and the series of debates and town hall sessions under the Voice for Nation Building.

Malay Mail is co-media partner of the event, organised by Malaysiakini and eventsd@kini.