Freedom of Entry Ceremony

Freedom of Entry Ceremony

April 28

Inaugurated in 2007, this ceremony honors the Royal Malaysian Navy with a series of traditional rituals that date back to medieval times. It takes place in the Malaysian seaport town of Kota Kinabalu on the island of Borneo. Along with the public symbolic gestures that confer the navy's right to protect the city, the ceremony also features several entertaining exhibitions and shows intended to attract tourists.
In the entry ceremony, which borrows from British and Australian military tradition, the navy marches through the city streets with "swords drawn, drums beating, band playing, colors flying, and bayonets fixed." As a public confirmation of the navy's right to march, Kota Kinabalu's Lord Mayor will present a special scroll before the assembled crowd. Another of the ceremony's symbolic elements is the assortment of parade colors, which are meant to help soldiers reassemble in the event of their separation during battle.
Additional events include a boat demonstration, helicopter aerial displays, tours of navy ships, and performances by the navy band and silent drill teams. The inaugural event drew 2,000 people, and government officials announced that they intended to make the ceremony an annual tradition.

CONTACTS:
Sabah Tourism Board
51 Gaya St.
88000 Kota Kinabalu
Sabah, Malaysia
www.sabahtourism.com
Malaysia Embassy
3516 International Ct. N.W.
Washington, DC 20008
202-572-9700; fax: 202-572-9882
myperwakilan.mfa.gov.my/am/washington

Celebration day: Apr 28