Foreigners Excited To Celebrate National Day

By Izzah Fatihah Ibrahim KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- Despite not being born as a Malaysian, some tourists are just as excited to celebrate the country's National Day here. A Bernama survey at Merdeka Square Saturday found that many tourists were thrilled to see the final touch of National Day celebration in the federal capital. A British tourist Sarah Joseph, 25, who is here since Aug 21, said that she and her boyfriend took the chance to visit Malaysia merely to witness the celebration of Merdeka Day on Aug 31. "It has been a tradition for us to travel to different parts of the world celebrating various countries' independence day. For example last year my boyfriend and I travelled to Indonesia to witness their independence day celebration. "As for this year, we decided to come to Malaysia to be a part of the independence day here. So far, based on the rehearsal that I saw, it is so colourful and everyone involved looks so energetic, I am impressed," she told Bernama, here Saturday. A Canadian tourist, Benjamin, 27, who thought that the rehearsal Saturday at Merdeka Square was the actual celebration of the National Day said he was surprised to see the involvement of young children and the elderly in the rehearsal. "I accidentally visited a National Mosque and I was informed that there will be a rehearsal in conjunction with the National Day celebration on Aug 31 and I took this opportunity to watch the preparation. "It's interesting to see the diversity of people taking part to make the National Day celebration a success," he said. Meanwhile a lecturer from Iran, Saleem Adhnan, 47, said that he was happy to be here during the rehearsal as this was a new experience that he had never encountered before. "This is my first time to experience Malaysia's National Day with my wife and to see this incredible decorations here, I am looking forward to witness the official ceremony this Monday," he said. The National Day's theme #sehatisejiwa (#Of One Heart One Soul) reflects the spirit of solidarity, understanding, togetherness and humanity of people in the country. About 10,000 representatives from government and private agencies, security forces and students will participate in the parade and procession. -- BERNAMA