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<p>For the last 10 years, street photographer Chot Touch has been a regular presence at Malaysia’s vibrant Merdeka Day festivities. But instead of training his camera on the dazzling parades and grand displays, he chooses to document the quiet, human moments that unfold amidst all the pageantry.</p>
<p>As a result, he has amassed quite a collection of striking photographs that reveal the candid moments and unspoken connections experienced among Malaysians during Merdeka Day. He shares some of them with FMT.</p>
<p>“I believe these photos show that Merdeka is more than just parades and official ceremonies. It’s about the spirit of the people, our cultural diversity, and the memories that connect generations.</p>
<p>&#8220;I want viewers to feel as if they were there, witnessing the life and energy behind the celebration,” Chot Touch says.</p>
<p>All photos are courtesy of Chot Touch.</p>
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data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/b64a9ab0-01.webp"  title="01"  data-width="1600"  data-height="1000" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/b64a9ab0-01.webp"  title="01"  data-alt="Merdeka Day" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">A child holds the Jalur Gemilang high as contingents march through Dataran Merdeka in 2012.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category3146682 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Police officers in formation after dawn prayers at Masjid Negara on Merdeka Day 2013." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ea98bb58-02.webp"  title="02"  data-width="1600"  data-height="1000" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ea98bb58-02.webp"  title="02"  data-alt="Merdeka Day" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Police officers in formation after dawn prayers at Masjid Negara on Merdeka Day 2013.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category3146682 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Behind Central Market in Kuala Lumpur, enthusiastic children make their way to Merdeka Day celebrations in 2013, one proudly wearing the Malaysian flag like a superhero cape." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/306a91ae-03.webp"  title="03"  data-width="1600"  data-height="1000" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/306a91ae-03.webp"  title="03"  data-alt="Merdeka Day" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Behind Central Market in Kuala Lumpur, enthusiastic children make their way to Merdeka Day celebrations in 2013, one proudly wearing the Malaysian flag like a superhero cape.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category3146682 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="A child examining the Malayan Tiger mascot head during early-morning preparations for the Merdeka parade in 2013." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/e014e5b3-04.webp"  title="04"  data-width="1600"  data-height="1000" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/e014e5b3-04.webp"  title="04"  data-alt="Merdeka Day" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">A child examining the Malayan Tiger mascot head during early-morning preparations for the Merdeka parade in 2013.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category3146682 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Malaysians of all ages and backgrounds gathering early in the morning for National Day festivities in 2015." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/22696416-05.webp"  title="05"  data-width="1600"  data-height="1000" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/22696416-05.webp"  title="05"  data-alt="Merdeka Day" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Malaysians of all ages and backgrounds gathering early in the morning for National Day festivities in 2015.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category3146682 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="A member of the K-9 security unit - specially trained detection dogs that conduct pre-event security sweeps - taking a break before the 2017 Merdeka parade." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/f2759cb1-06.webp"  title="06"  data-width="1600"  data-height="1000" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/f2759cb1-06.webp"  title="06"  data-alt="Merdeka Day" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">A member of the K-9 security unit - specially trained detection dogs that conduct pre-event security sweeps - taking a break before the 2017 Merdeka parade.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category3146682 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Malaysian police band members packing up their instruments after completing their performance in 2018." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/3ab73a8f-07.webp"  title="07"  data-width="1600"  data-height="1000" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/3ab73a8f-07.webp"  title="07"  data-alt="Merdeka Day" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Malaysian police band members packing up their instruments after completing their performance in 2018.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category3146682 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Army soldiers taking a well-deserved break after early-morning rehearsals for the 2019 parade." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/77c882cf-08.webp"  title="08"  data-width="1600"  data-height="1000" ></div><div class="rbs-img-data-popup"  data-popup="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/77c882cf-08.webp"  title="08"  data-alt="Merdeka Day" ></div><div class="thumbnail-overlay"><div class="rbsIcons"><i class="fa fa-search-plus rbsZoomIcon " ></i></div></div></div><div class="rbs-img-content">Army soldiers taking a well-deserved break after early-morning rehearsals for the 2019 parade.</div></div><div class="rbs-img  category3146682 " ><div class="rbs-img-image   rbs-lightbox "  data-descbox="Military band musicians catch their breath after delivering a stirring performance during the 2023 Merdeka Day celebrations in Putrajaya." ><div class="rbs-img-thumbs"  data-thumbnail="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/4a409a85-09.webp"  title="09"  data-width="1600"  data-height="1000" 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LatestHeadlines

Human moments on Merdeka Day by Chot Touch

This street photographer's striking images reveal candid instances and unspoken connections among Malaysians.

Chot Touch

Dataran Merdeka

Merdeka

Merdeka parade

national day

Street photography