Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian authorities have beefed up security in key areas and threatened to take action against those disturbing public order during the Olympic torch relay through parts of downtown Kuala Lumpur today.

Almost 1000-strong police posse will be on duty to guard the flame as 80 torch bearers begin the 16.5-km relay between the sprawling Independence Square to the iconic Petronas twin Towers.

Malaysia's Foreign Minister Yatim Rais has said the government will take all measures to ensure the relay is successful and safe.

Rais said this leg of relay is a reflection of the close ties Malaysia has with China. Malaysia's multi-ethnic population comprises 25 per cent ethnic Chinese.

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 torch arrived by charter plane at Kuala Lumpur International Airport from Thailand yesterday and was received by officials from the Olympic Council of Malaysia and China's Ambassador to Malaysia.

The Vajrayana Buddhist Council of Malaysia today held an hour-long multi-faith prayer session, calling for peace in Tibet. Pro-Tibet supporters had disrupted the torch relay during the western leg of the flame in London, Paris and San Francisco.

"We have a commitment to ensure that we have a good run," M Jegathesan, deputy President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia, said in an interview.
Source : PTI