Malaysia calls for politics-free Olympics ahead of torch relay
A day before hosting the Olympic torch relay amid tight security to thwart any possible protests over the Chinese crackdown in Tibet.
By PTI |
KUALA LUMPUR: A day before hosting the Olympic torch relay amid tight security to thwart any possible protests over the Chinese crackdown in Tibet, Malaysia on Sunday said the Beijing Games should not be politicised.
"Malaysia takes this opportunity to reiterate that the Beijing Olympics should not be politicised", Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim said as the Olympic torch arrived here this morning in a chartered plane.
The torch relay, scheduled to begin at 1230 pm (local time) tomorrow, reflects the "close ties" Malaysia shares with China, Yatim said in a statement. Malaysia's multi-ethnic population comprises 25 per cent ethnic Chinese.
All measures will be take to ensure that the torch relay is safe and successful, the minister said adding that Malaysia was confident of the success of the Olympic Games.
Kuala Lumpur is among 21 cities outside China that is hosting the Olympic torch relay themed "Journey of Harmony" over 130 days and covering 137,000 km.
The Asian leg of the Olympic torch relay, which saw the flame passing from Islamabad, New Delhi and Bangkok earlier, has been largely peaceful and successful.
The torch arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport from Thailand and was received by officials from the Olympic Council of Malaysia and the Chinese ambassador to Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the Vajrayana Buddhist Council of Malaysia today held an hour-long multi-faith prayer session, calling for peace in Tibet.
"I hope after the Olympic games, China will sit with world leaders along with Tibetan leaders and hold dialogue for peace in Tibet," Buddhist High Priest of Malaysia Reverend K Sri Dhammaratana was quoted by media reports as saying.
"Malaysia takes this opportunity to reiterate that the Beijing Olympics should not be politicised", Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim said as the Olympic torch arrived here this morning in a chartered plane.
The torch relay, scheduled to begin at 1230 pm (local time) tomorrow, reflects the "close ties" Malaysia shares with China, Yatim said in a statement. Malaysia's multi-ethnic population comprises 25 per cent ethnic Chinese.
All measures will be take to ensure that the torch relay is safe and successful, the minister said adding that Malaysia was confident of the success of the Olympic Games.
Kuala Lumpur is among 21 cities outside China that is hosting the Olympic torch relay themed "Journey of Harmony" over 130 days and covering 137,000 km.
The Asian leg of the Olympic torch relay, which saw the flame passing from Islamabad, New Delhi and Bangkok earlier, has been largely peaceful and successful.
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The torch arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport from Thailand and was received by officials from the Olympic Council of Malaysia and the Chinese ambassador to Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the Vajrayana Buddhist Council of Malaysia today held an hour-long multi-faith prayer session, calling for peace in Tibet.
"I hope after the Olympic games, China will sit with world leaders along with Tibetan leaders and hold dialogue for peace in Tibet," Buddhist High Priest of Malaysia Reverend K Sri Dhammaratana was quoted by media reports as saying.
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