Najib Abdul Razak expresses his appreciation to Malaysians from all walks of life who turn up to enliven the Independence Day celebration at Merdeka Square today.

    

"Congratulations and thank you to all Malaysians whose strong enthusiasm invigorated the 57th Independence Day celebration this morning," said the prime minister in his Facebook.

    

Merdeka Square and its surrounding areas were inundated by numerous races who turned up to witness the parade and procession.

    

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah also witnessed the event.

In the meantime, Najib said the national independence began with the struggle of the Malay rulers, past leaders and the people of Malaysia.

"We cannot be complacent because all the things we have reaped today were not achieved merely by chance," he added.

Meanwhile, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rohani Abdul Karim said the spirit of love for the country especially among the younger generation should be instilled and fostered so that the group would appreciate the nation's independence achieved 57 years ago.

She said the younger generation should appreciate the real meaning of independence by remembering the sacrifices of the people before independence was attained.

 

"It is my hope that patriotism be inculcated among the young so that they could take on the responsibility of sustaining the country's independence," she told Bernama during a visit to the World of Women and Children exhibition, here today.