15,000 participate in final full dress rehearsal for National Day (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 15,000 participants had their final full dress rehearsal for the National Day celebration at Dataran Merdeka about 7am today.
On hand to witness the rehearsal was Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak and the Prime Minister's Department senior deputy secretary-general Tan Sri Othman Mahmood.
In store this year is a special performance by the police on the fight against firearms smuggling.
The 10-minute play is a depiction of an actual encounter by the police - something not to be missed.
Spectator Hamdan Hamidi, 42, his wife and two sons watched the rehearsal with awe and felt that all Malaysians must view the parade and performances to feel the spirit of freedom and patriotism.
"Today is the only day I would be free this week. And how lucky that today turned out to be the full dress rehearsal," he told theSun today.
The National Day parade and procession on Aug 31 will witness 10 performance segments namely patriotism, public services, economy, animation, self-esteem, sports, public order, national security, air show and national unity.
Those coming to witness the actual celebration on the morning of Aug 31 are advised to wear the colours of Jalur Gemilang.
Meanwhile Bernama reported Salleh urging the people to celebrate National Day in the spirit of togetherness regardless of their racial and religious differences.
He said this was in keeping with the National Day theme of "Sehati Sejiwa" (One Heart, One Soul) which reflected the unity of Malaysians irrespective of their different political leanings and ideologies.
"This is a day we must uphold as one that really unifies us. We should also be grateful that our country is peaceful. We should continue to go forward to build for ourselves a more glorious Malaysia," he said.
Salleh said he was satisfied with the event and hoped the participants would maintain the momentum in the spirit of working as one team.