PUTRAJAYA: The skies around the federal administrative capital here came alive as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah attended the Trooping the Colour at Dataran Pahlawan Negara in a pomp-filled atmosphere that has not been seen there for the past three years.

       Bernama reported that their Majesties arrived at 8.30am and proceedings began with the Negaraku, played by the combined Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) central band under the command of Mej (DOM) Muhamad Nor Azizan Yahya.

       Then, five MAF aircraft bearing the Jalur Gemilang as well as banner flags of the MAF, the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), and Army, performed a flypast, led by Mej Nazrul Nizam Ismail of the RMAF 10th Squadron.

       Simultaneously, a 21-gun salute was fired by the 41st Battery of the Royal Artillery Regiment, led by Lt Kol Mohd Asri Che Wil.

       Sultan Abdullah then inspected the guard-of-honour mounted by 57 officers and 847 personnel from the three MAF wings, led by the commanding officer of the 18th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, Lt Kol Mohd Fadzly Mohd Yasin.

       Then, the MAF central band led the Trooping the Colour of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in slow- and quick-march tempo.

       Five colours were paraded at the ceremony, namely those of the Royal Malay Regiment, the Royal Ranger Regiment, the Royal Armoured Corps, the Royal Malaysian Navy, and the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

       Trooping the Colour is a demonstration of respect, honour and ceremonial pledge of allegiance by the three branches of the armed forces to the King and country.

       The ceremony ended with three hails of Daulat Tuanku by the guard of honour.

       This was followed by a recitation of prayers by MAF’s director-general of religious corp, Mej-Jen Mohd Rashidi Bujai.

       Sultan Abdullah then took the royal salute again as the five MAF aircraft performed another flypast, before their Majesties left at 9.30am.

       The ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and his wife Datin Seri Muhaini Zainal Abidin.

       Also present were Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Armed Forces chief Jen Tan Sri Affendi Buang.

       The ceremony was the last of six events held in conjunction with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s official birthday on Monday, June 6.