Behind the National Day spectacle: The man who weaves spirit of M'sia's story
Saifulkhairi has been writing ceremony's script since 2008.
Fire! The thunderous roar echoed across Dataran Putrajaya during the 2026 National Day celebration. The 14-gun artillery salute, accompanied by Negaraku and the raising of the Malaysian flag, was a display of precision, timing, and discipline from the 41st Battery of the Royal Artillery Regiment. Led by Captain Muhammad Zameer Zolkaifli, the team of six cannons stationed 500 meters away from the ceremony site faced challenges such as telecommunications interference, yet they managed to fire each round within the five to six-second intervals.
This was the second time Zameer led the salute, with the previous ceremony in 2025 causing him some nerves. Despite the demanding schedule, the team continued training and rehearsals to ensure they were fully prepared for the actual assignment. The military tradition of the artillery salute is a highlight of Malaysia's National Day celebrations, drawing thousands of visitors and showcasing the country's military might.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
