Thousands of Malaysians thronged Putrajaya on Sunday to join festivities marking 46 years of independence from Britain and the looming retirement of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Waving the Malaysian flag and chanting slogans of "independence," they gathered in Putrajaya, the country's new administrative capital south of Kuala Lumpur. The joyful gathering had sombre undertones as it was to be the last time the veteran Mahathir, 77, would celebrate national day as premier after 22 years in power.

King Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin and Queen Tengku Fauziah Abdul Rashid arrived in a horse-drawn carriage and were welcomed onto a huge stage to join Mahathir and other leaders.

The national flag was raised to the strains of the national anthem "Negara-ku" before hundreds of participants bearing the national flag danced to traditional drum beats and patriotic songs.

A colourful parade followed, sending school and military bands, floats and thousands of armed forces personnel, civil servants and private sector employers marching past the royal stage.

Centerstage was the sky above the parade, where US-made Hornet fighter jets and Russian MIGs piloted by the air force maneuvered into attack formations.

Mahathir, Asia's longest-serving elected leader, used his national day message to spur his compatriots to be disciplined and to keep their greed and impatience in check on the road to success.

Mahathir seen as champion

He also put out a nationwide call for an astronaut to join a Russian mission to space in 2005.

Mahathir took the Malay community to task for failures in meeting the objectives of the new economic policy, chastising them for their willingness to trade rights for quick profits.

Sunday's festivities brought many to Putrajaya who ordinarily observe national day from the comfort of their own homes, so as to pay tribute to Mahathir.

"This year is a special year as Mahathir will be retiring. We owe our prosperity and stability to Mahathir. This is our way of saying thank you to you Mahathir," said businessman M. Muthu, 24.

Credited with transforming Malaysia into one of Southeast Asia's most successful economies, Mahathir is seen as a champion of the developing world in seeking a fairer global trading system for poor nations.

Before handing power in October to his likely successor, deputy Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Mahathir is to host the Organisation of Islamic Conference summit and attend the summits of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. - AFP