Hundreds of people gathered yesterday on the beaches of Penang to pray for the victims of last year's devastating Indian Ocean tsunami.

At the Pasir Panjang beach in Balik Pulau, a group of priests from the Pu Zian Temple led over a hundred devotees in prayers, the Bernama news agency reported.

Relatives and friends of the 68 people killed by the tsunami in Malaysia lit candles and scattered flowers into the sea in remembrance.

Mak Kam Weng, 39, whose five-month-old baby was swept away by the massive waves which struck the island, told Bernama : "I cannot forget the tragedy."

Casuarina tree

A Swedish tourist identified only as Denny said: "I just want to pray and hope it will not happen again."

On Saturday, at least 700 Muslims were expected to attend special prayers in Penang. A casuarina tree will be planted at the Pasir Panjang beach in memory of the victims.

Malaysia suffered less than its neighbours because most of its mainland peninsula was shielded from the killer surge by Indonesia's Sumatra, which bore the brunt of the disaster.