PUTRAJAYA – Their Majesties Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah, the King and Queen of Malaysia, presided over the 2025 Warriors’ Day celebrations at Dataran Pahlawan Negara, paying solemn tribute to the sacrifices of Malaysia’s armed forces and police personnel who gave their lives in the line of duty.
This year’s national ceremony, coordinated by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), featured a static parade format involving the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), Veterans Association of Malaysian Armed Forces (PVATM), and Ex-Policemen Association of Malaysia (PBPM).
The ceremony began with the national anthem Negaraku, followed by a 21-gun salute by the Royal Artillery Regiment’s ceremonial unit, led by Major Hafizan Mat Ghani. His Majesty then inspected the main guard of honour, comprising 18 officers and 685 personnel, under the command of Superintendent Mohamad Ridzuan Roslan of the PDRM.
Among the dignitaries present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail, and Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar.
The event moved into a reflective tone with the sounding of the Last Post and the lowering of the Jalur Gemilang. This was followed by an emotional recitation of the poem “Darah Yang Terpercik di Baju” by Detective Sergeant Ardiansyah Wayang (PDRM) and Staff Sergeant Siti Nur Aini Jasni (MAF), honouring three MAF personnel killed in a 1979 ambush by communist insurgents in Baling, Kedah.
The highlight of the morning was a special pantomime titled “Zabri, Pejuang Sang Saka Biru,” honouring VAT69 Commando ASP Mohd Zabri Abdul Hamid, who died in 1975 after triggering a booby trap while pursuing communist terrorists. The dramatic reenactment, directed by SAC Hakemal Hawari, featured 142 PDRM personnel and incorporated an AI-generated video capturing Zabri’s final words urging his comrades to “continue the struggle, even in his absence.”
The ceremony concluded with the Paluan Fajar (Dawn Beat) and the raising of the Jalur Gemilang, symbolising the resilience, courage, and ongoing mission of Malaysia’s security forces to uphold peace and sovereignty.
Meanwhile in Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah led the state-level celebration at Dataran Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan, joined by state and military leaders. The ceremony included a guard of honour inspection, poem recitations, and a Royal Banquet.
Warriors’ Day, observed annually on July 31, is a national day of remembrance for all who served and fell in defence of Malaysia’s freedom and stability.
