35 employees of the Johor State Secretary’s Office, dressed in traditional outfits, emerged as champions of the Best Dressed category in this year’s state-level National Day parade at Jalan Johor Bahru-Ayer Hitam in Simpang Renggam near here today.
Their parade contingent head Mohd Nizam Muji said they took nearly two months to come up with their theme in line with the Unity Government’s concept, adding that they showcased 11 types of traditional outfits, representing the Malay, Chinese, Indian, Sabah and Sarawak communities as well as the other ethnic communities such as the Bugis and Minang, to indirectly represent the unity among the country’s races.
“It was also a sign of respect…. for maintaining unity as organised by the government,” he told Bernama after the 118-contingent-strong parade, which was officiated by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz and watched by over 5,000 spectators.
Staff member Nuraina Syafiqa Jefri, who wore a Malay traditional outfit, shared that it was her second time participating in the parade, and she said that she felt very proud when the results were announced as she was chosen as the placard bearer.
Her contingent showcased their corporate uniform blast year but went with traditional wear this time around to signify the National Day theme “Malaysia MADANI: Determination in Unity, Fulfilling Hope.
“My contingent colleagues and I were quite enthusiastic about wearing the traditional outfits… and did not expect to be crowned best dressed this year, as competition was quite stiff. We only wanted to show the concept of unity in the country,” she added.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency