This article is from 'bbc', was first published or seen on Thu Aug 30 18:00:13 UTC 2007 and has 5 versions.

It has 6 recommendations - Recommend this revision.

« Previous version Next version »
Version 1 Version 2

Malaysia marks 50 years as nation

Fri Aug 31 06:01:05 UTC 2007

Malaysia marks 50 years as nation

Fri Aug 31 07:40:22 UTC 2007
Thousands of people have joined celebrations in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, as the country marks 50 years of nationhood. Thousands of people are attending celebrations in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, as the country marks 50 years of nationhood.
Dancers and drummers paraded though Merdeka Square, where Malaysia's first prime minister announced independence from Britain on 31 August 1957. Dancers and drummers paraded though Merdeka Square, where Malaysia's first prime minister announced independence from Britain on 31 August 1957.
Dignitaries from around the world are attending the celebrations, which began with a midnight flag-raising ceremony. Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi used an anniversary speech to urge people to unify as a nation.
There Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi urged people to unify as a nation."We must ensure that no region or community is left behind," he said.
"The struggle is for all Malaysians," he said. "We must ensure that no region or community is left behind."
"We will hold true to the concept of justice and fairness for all citizens.""We will hold true to the concept of justice and fairness for all citizens."
The celebrations come at a time when debate is growing about what it means to be Malaysian in the ethnically diverse nation. The celebrations come at a time when debate is growing about what it means to be Malaysian in the ethnically diverse nation, correspondents say.
FireworksMilitary on parade
Some 60,000 people gathered on Thursday evening to watch scenes of the nation's last 50 years projected on to the capital's skyscrapers. Some 60,000 people gathered on Thursday evening to watch scenes of the nation's last 50 years projected on to the capital's skyscrapers.

Malaysia's melting pot 		Malaysia's air force joined the celebrations
Fireworks lit up the sky and the national flag was raised to mark the end of British colonial rule on the Malay peninsula.Fireworks lit up the sky and the national flag was raised to mark the end of British colonial rule on the Malay peninsula.
In addition to the parade, Friday's celebrations include a fly-past by the Royal Malaysian Air Force, as well as displays from the police cavalry and tracker dog units. Friday's celebrations featured a fly-past by the Royal Malaysian Air Force, as well as displays from the police cavalry and tracker dog units.
Several foreign dignitaries are attending the celebrations, including Britain's Prince Andrew. Several foreign dignitaries are attending the celebrations, including Britain's Prince Andrew.
Prime ministers from Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia are all present. Prime ministers from Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia are all present.
Racial divideDramatic changes
The celebrations come amid concern over rising social tensions in Malaysia. The BBC's Asia correspondent, Andrew Harding, says Malaysia has changed dramatically since 1957.
Half a century of stability and development has transformed a poor disjointed nation into an economic success story, the BBC's Asia correspondent, Andrew Harding, says. Political stability and years of ambitious development have transformed the economy.
But this anniversary has prompted some soul-searching about Malaysia's widening racial and religious divide, he adds. There are concerns that Malaysia's authoritarian brand of democracy is being challenged by an increasingly conservative form of Islam, with Sharia courts overriding the country's secular constitution, he says.
Islam has taken a more conservative and assertive form, with Sharia courts challenging the country's secular constitution. But the general mood in Malaysia seems to be one of optimism as this nation reflects on half-a-century of upheavals and progress, our correspondent adds.
The large Indian and Chinese minorities are becoming increasingly angry about a much-abused quota system that restricts their access to education and jobs.
With elections coming and political parties polarised along ethnic lines, the country is struggling to cling on to its image as Asia's tolerant melting pot, our correspondent adds.