Malaysians celebrate 50th independence day with ASEAN leaders

Singapore, Aug 31 (UNI) Heads of governments from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) today joined Malaysians to celebrate the country's 50th Independence Day in Kuala Lumpur.

The Malaysian King and Queen, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah, and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and wife Jeanne Abdullah led the celebration, which followed the midnight festivities heralding a new period that builds upon five decades of glorious achievements.

Foreign dignitaries including the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah; the Duke of York, Prince Andrew; Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo; Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Australian Governor-General Major General Michael Jeffery also joined the Malaysians in the celebrations held at the Dataran Merdeka or the Independence Square from where the country's first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman declared the independence from the British Empire 50 years go.

ASEAN leaders who joined the celebration included Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Laotian Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla and a host of ambassadors.

Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad also joined the celebration, which included a parade of 100 contingents from the public and private sectors, including 12,570 marchers, 14 floats, 25 military vehicles and a breathtaking aerial display performed by 52 aircrafts. Thousands of other participants, including artists, performed at the square.

UNI