Age Not A Hindrance For Senior Citizens To Show Patriotic Spirit

Age Not A Hindrance For Senior Citizens To Show Patriotic Spirit

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 (Bernama) -- Age is not a hindrance for senior citizens to come to the federal capital and be part of the crowd to converge at Dataran Merdeka Saturday to celebrate the country's 56th Merdeka (Independence) Day.

Ishak Abu Bakar, 66, from Melaka, said he noticed that the crowd at this year's Merdeka Day celebration was bigger than during the previous years.

"I am here every year to watch the national-level Merdeka Day parade. This year, I could not get a good spot to be able to watch the parade clearly because there are too many people.

"I think the people have realised the importance of unity and peace. Perhaps, the intrusion incident in Lahad Datu early this year made them realise the importance of harmony in the country," said the police retiree, who took along his wife on his motorcycle to watch the event.

The couple was at Dataran Merdeka as early as 6.30am.

A housewife, M. Selvarani, 62, from Penang, said Malaysians should not forget the sacrifices made from previous leaders and security members in freeing the country from the colonials.

"We are able to live in an independent country because of their sacrifices and I pray our country will continue to progress and be peaceful," she added.

Meanwhile, a government retiree from Taiping, Perak, Abdullah Hussein, 70, said despite the country celebrating its 56th Merdeka Day, the people, especially the young generation, should continue to appreciate the benefits of Merdeka and to help maintain peace in the country.

"Do not be carried away with the luxury that we are enjoying now. The Lahad Datu incidence has a huge impact on the people in the peninsula, although it happened in Sabah.

"Many of our security members were killed in protecting the country against the foreign intruders. That should be a lesson to us, especially the young people," he added.

-- BERNAMA