PHOTOS

In Pictures: The 68th Merdeka Celebration in Dataran Putrajaya

Traditional costumes adding color to the parade.

Thousands of visitors of all races and ages gathered as early as 5:30 a.m. at Dataran Putrajaya. The crowd was huge, but everyone came with excitement. Some walked more than a kilometer to reach the venue. Parents brought their children, eager to let them witness the colorful performances up close.

The parade featured 81 contingents made up of school students, uniformed bodies, government departments, and the private sector. Their commitment was clear during the rehearsal, as everyone worked hard to ensure the event would run smoothly on August 31, 2025.

I took many photos that morning. The marching, the cultural dances, the aircraft flying in formation, and the creative floats all caught my eye. Each picture felt like a way to keep the memory of the day alive. What stood out most were the small moments: families waving flags, children sitting on their parents’ shoulders, and veterans wearing their medals with pride. These scenes reminded me that Merdeka is not only about history but also about how we live and celebrate today.

Due to the large crowd, I wasn’t able to capture some important moments like the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Prime Minister, and the military vehicles. Still, here are some of the photos I managed to take during the parade.

Visitors arrived as early as dawn to secure a good spot to see the marching and take pictures at Dataran Putrajaya.

A sea of Asean flags carried proudly by the Asean Contingent.

Contingent from MRCE walking together toward the celebration ground.

Contingent from Malaysia’s creative industry marching in perfect formation.

Participants in traditional Malaysian attire march during the Merdeka parade, celebrating the nation’s diverse cultural heritage.

Maritime unit members march with medals gleaming on their chests.

The rhythmic beat of the drums and the vibrant red uniforms, a highlight of the Merdeka Parade’s spectacular marching bands.

A contingent from the esteemed Royal Malay Regiment (RAMD) marches in their ceremonial attire, providing musical accompaniment for the national Merdeka parade.

The Royal Malaysian Police contingent on parade.

MALBAT (MALaysia BATalion) marching in precision.

Jabatan Kimia Malaysia contingent marching proudly in the Merdeka Day parade.

From the tactical gear to the resolute expressions, the The Malaysian Prison Department contingent showed their strength and commitment.

A close-up shot of Malaysia’s elite forces on parade.

The powerful sound of the bagpipes and marching bass drum echoing across the parade grounds, played with immense pride.

Impressive camouflage and tactical presence of these soldiers were a highlight of the parade.

Jabatan Sukarelawan Malaysia band performs while reading music sheets as they march.

Soldiers in their unique ghillie suits, brought a formidable presence to the parade.

A powerful presence from the Immigration Department of Malaysia, marching with resolve and pride at the Merdeka parade.

The tactical unit of the Immigration Department, demonstrating their readiness and strength at the parade. I can’t remember why he pointing finger at me.

A different perspective from the action. This is what it looks like to be right in the middle of the Merdeka parade

Soldiers from the Malaysian Armed Forces carrying the versatile Carl Gustaf M4, a key piece of equipment for ground forces.

A contingent from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA) parades in their distinctive camouflage uniforms at the national Merdeka celebration.

Members of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) of the Royal Malaysia Police march with riot gear.

helicopters of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) fly in formation over Dataran Putrajaya during the Merdeka parade.

A contingent from the Naval Special Warfare Forces (PASKAL) showcasing their specialized training and equipment, with some members in black tactical gear and others in camouflage ghillie suits.

People head out of Dataran Putrajaya as the parade comes to an end.

The photos were taken using a Canon EOS RP + RF 35mm f1.8 lens and Canon EOS 1200D + EF-S 55–250mm lens.