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.