Malaysia marks national day

Malaysia marks national day

PENANG, Malaysia (AFP): Malaysia cast off the economic gloom which has seen it plunge into recession to celebrate its 41st anniversary with joy and patriotism on Monday.

Concern over "the economic crisis did not show in the faces of the thousands of people who lined the road to watch the celebrations," Fauzi Rahman, a 35-year-old businessman said.

The northern island-state of Penang played host to two hours of national day celebrations witnessed by King Tuanku Ja'afar and Queen Tunku Najihah along with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his entire cabinet.

Featuring in the celebrations was a cultural dance and a field show by about 3,000 students, a procession and a march-past involving 67 contingents and 26 bands with 7,972 participants.