This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6970348.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Malaysia marks 50 years as nation Malaysia marks 50 years as nation
(about 12 hours later)
Two days of lavish celebrations have got under way in Malaysia to mark 50 years of independence from Britain. Thousands of people have joined celebrations in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, as the country marks 50 years of nationhood.
Thousands of people enjoyed a laser light show in the capital Kuala Lumpur before the national flag was raised at midnight, re-enacting the 1957 event. Dancers and drummers paraded though Merdeka Square, where Malaysia's first prime minister announced independence from Britain on 31 August 1957.
Foreign dignitaries are attending a major National Day parade and other events on Friday. Dignitaries from around the world are attending the celebrations, which began with a midnight flag-raising ceremony.
But the event comes at a time when debate is growing about what it means to be Malaysian, analysts say. There Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi urged people to unify as a nation.
Some 60,000 people gathered in Kuala Lumpur's Independence Square on Thursday evening to watch scenes of the nation's last 50 years projected on to the capital's skyscrapers, the APF news agency reports. "The struggle is for all Malaysians," he said. "We must ensure that no region or community is left behind."
Fireworks lit up the sky and the national flag was raised in Independence Square to mark the end of British colonial rule on the Malay peninsula. "We will hold true to the concept of justice and fairness for all citizens."
Soul-searching The celebrations come at a time when debate is growing about what it means to be Malaysian in the ethnically diverse nation.
Friday's lavish National Day parade will also chart Malaysia's progress over the last 50 years. Fireworks
The parade will be led by war veterans and is reported to involve some 10,000 participants, including secondary school students. 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.
A fly-past by the Royal Malaysian Air Force and displays from the police cavalry and tracker dog units will also be highlights of the occasion. class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6970134.stm">Malaysia's melting pot
Several foreign dignitaries are attending the celebrations, including Britain's Prince Andrew. Prime ministers from Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia arrived throughout Thursday. 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.
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.
Racial divide
The celebrations come amid concern over rising social tensions in Malaysia.
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.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.
But this anniversary has prompted some soul-searching about Malaysia's widening racial and religious divide, he adds.But this anniversary has prompted some soul-searching about Malaysia's widening racial and religious divide, he adds.
Islam has taken a more conservative and assertive form, with Sharia courts challenging the country's secular constitution.Islam has taken a more conservative and assertive form, with Sharia courts challenging the country's secular constitution.
The large Indian and Chinese minorities are becoming increasingly angry about a much-abused quota system that restricts their access to education and jobs.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.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.