MALAYSIANS ABROAD HOLD INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, sept 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysians working and living abroad also marked the 52nd Merdeka anniversary with celebrations.

Mohd Nasir Yusoff reports from Jakarta that a flag-raising ceremony and "doa
selamat" prayers were held in the Indonesian capital Sunday night.

The "Jalur Gemilang" national flag was raised at the premises of the
Malaysian embassy to the strains of the national anthem "Negaraku" as well as
the patriotic song "Kerana Mu Malaysia" which was sung by a gathering and a
children's choir group from the Sekolah Bimbingan Malaysia.

The gathering, which included Malaysian professionals, entrepreneurs,
embassy staff and students of several universities, also read out the Rukun
Negara (National Ideology) pledge.

A prayer was also said for continued harmonious diplomatic relations between
Malaysia and Indonesia.

The gathering then broke the Ramadan fast at the hall of the embassy.

In his speech earlier, Deputy Head of Mission Amran Mohamed Zain explained
the 1Malaysia concept, saying it was the foundation for strengthening racial
unity.

In MELBOURNE, about 200 Malaysian students displayed a deep feeling of unity
and patriotism when they gathered there yesterday for a forum to mark the
Independence anniversary.

The event, organised by the Malaysian Students Council of Australia (MASCA),
Victoria Chapter, had the theme "Road to Unity".

MASCA vice-president Alyaa Ismail said the idea behind the forum was "to
ensure that our generation has the right mindset to cherish and celebrate
Malaysia's independence and unique diversity of race, culture and creed.
-- BERNAMA