KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 31  Malaysia marked the 64th anniversary of its independence on Tuesday, with a scaled-back celebration due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation in the country.

The celebration, hosted in the country’s administration center of Putrajaya, was held under the new normal circumstances for the second year with various programs and a small scale parade of the armed forces and civil service branches.

The program was held in compliance with standard operating procedures (SOP) with the physical presence of a limited number of viewers, while others could watch them on television or virtually.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who was undergoing self quarantine after being in close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual, joined the celebration virtually.