Malaysia Celebrates Independence

CHAN:
We start our news today with a story from Malaysia. Malaysia celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence today, with a massive parade graced by royalty, political leaders and Malaysians.

STORY:
Thousands of dancers, a choir of 2,300 teachers and 1,000 drummers performed patriotic songs. They were watched by the king and queen and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his predecessor Mahathir Mohamad.

The leaders of six other Southeast Asian nations also attended, including Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Malaysians dressed in a variety of clothes and colours taken from the national flag, marched proudly past the stage.

Abdullah used an Independence Day anniversary speech to voice his pride in the country's record of religious tolerance. The speech came at a time when a spotlight has been placed on the country's struggle in recent months to keep harmony between different ethnic and racial groups.

Malaysia is dominated politically by ethnic Malays, who are Muslims and see themselves as the country's natural rulers. But they make up only a small minority of the populace.

Ethnic Chinese and Indians account for almost 40 percent of the population.

The social melting pot has left Malaysia with a major challenge to keep the peace between the races.

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[timothyngim]

Who else got come? You mentioned only Thailand, Phillipines and.. Indonesia....I also bsee Brunei there

[keanojohn]

Que loco!!!

[dekoelie]

Error at para 5 under "Story"

"But they make up only a small minority of the populace." SMALL MAJORITY.