Happy 50th MERDEKA!!!!

Light up my life: Dataran Merdeka is a sea of colour

as the celebrations get underway. - 31 August, 2007

We are one: Some of the people waving the Jalur Gemilang

while waiting for the countdown. - 31 August, 2007

Malaysian Army parades through Merdeka Square, or Freedom Square, where

Malaysia's first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman announced the country's

independence from Britain on Aug. 31, 1957 in downtown Kuala Lumpur, Friday,

Aug. 31 - AP - 31 August, 2007

Malaysian army march during a parade at the historic Merdeka Square in

downtown Kuala Lumpur, Friday, Aug. 31, 2007 - AP - 31 August, 2007

Malaysia's King Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, front right, inspects

an honor guard before the start of a parade at the historic Merdeka Square

in downtown Kuala Lumpur, Friday, Aug. 31, 2007 - AP - 31 August, 2007

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (extreme right)

stands at attention during national anthem before the start of a parade

at the historic Merdeka Square in downtown Kuala Lumpur,

Friday, Aug. 31, 2007 - AP - 31 August, 2007

Brass band members from Malaysian Army perform during

parade through Merdeka Square, or Freedom Square,

where Malaysia's first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman

announced the country's independence from Britain on Aug. 31, 1957

in downtown Kuala Lumpur, Friday, Aug. 31, 2007. - AP - 31 August, 2007

Thailand's Crown Price Maha Vajiralongkorn, right, chats

with his royal consort Princess Srirasm as they watch a parade

at the historic Merdeka square in downtown Kuala Lumpur,

Friday, Aug. 31, 2007 - AP - 31 August, 2007

Tunku Abdul Rahman - Bapa Kemerdekaan

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, left, Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah,

center, and British Prince Andrew are seen before the start of a parade at the historic

Merdeka square in downtown Kuala Lumpur, Friday, Aug. 31, 2007. - 31 August, 2007