ASEAN DAY MARKED WITH FLAG HOISTING AT FOREIGN MISSIONS

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- Asean commemorated its 44th anniversary
Monday, with a significant event, as member states hoisted the Asean flag for
the first time in their respective diplomatic missions abroad.

At the Malaysian High Commission in Delhi, the blue-red-white-yellow flag,
dotted with stalks of paddy, was hoisted at 8am, concurrent with other missions.

"This flag-raising ceremony is the outward manifestation of the 10 member
countries' faith in Asean.

"The ceremony is an important event to raise public awareness on Asean,"
Malaysian High Commissioner to India Tan Seng Sung said at the event.

The signing of the Asean Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) in Thailand in
1967 led to the creation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or Asean.

The founding fathers were Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

"It shows our collective resolve towards the realisation of an Asean
community by 2015. In fact, this partnership in diversity has now evolved into
an Asean identity," said Tan.

Starting Monday, all Southeast Asian overseas diplomatic missions will
display their respective national flags, along with the Asean flag, permanently.