Kuala Lumpur: The 29th SEA Games officially started Saturday with a colourful ceremony at the National Stadium.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V declared the Games open.
Teenage Malaysian diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri flew through the national stadium in a brave stunt to light the cauldron at the climax of a glittering opening ceremony.
The 18-year-old rising star was suspended high above the Bukit Jalil stadium floor in Kuala Lumpur, carrying a flaming torch, at the end of the four-hour extravaganza.
The KL 2017 opening ceremony was an inspiring and memorable occasion in celebrating the unity of the Southeast Asian region.
There was also a special 'Best of Malaysia' performance in conjunction with the country's 60th National Day celebration.
About 6,000 people were involved in the showcase event, consisting performers, volunteers, children and the armed forces.
The Thai contingent led by HRH Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, right, enter the National Stadium last night.
Athletes from 11 member countries are competing for 404 gold medals in 36 sports including ice hockey, sepak takraw, pencak silat, cricket, squash and indoor hockey.
The Games end on Aug 30.
Meanwhile, the Philippines will host the 30th SEA Games after all.
The country will now proceed with the hosting job as confirmed by the Philippines Olympic Committee president, Jose Cojuangco, during the SEA Games Federation (SEAGF) council meeting on Friday.
Prior to the decision, it was reported that the Philippines would not organise the 2019 tournament due to the war and the escalating cost in rebuilding Marawi.
The SEAGF council, chaired by Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku Jaafar of Malaysia, convened its meeting on Friday.
Matters concerning the organising of the 29th Kuala Lumpur Games and the hosting of the 30th Games by the Philippines were discussed at the meeting, attended by representatives of all 11 member nations.
Tunku Tan Sri Imran said that all 34 council members were elated and immediately pledged an all-out support to ensure the hosting of the 2019 Manila Games will be an overwhelming success.
"Essentially, the Philippines has have never pulled out. The Olympic Council of Malaysia [OCM] has always assumed that the Philippines will take over the baton of hosting the SEA Games. It's just that we had to wait for the final confirmation," said Tan Sri Tunku Imran after the council meeting.
"We're happy that the POC had met with officials from their government to discuss and confirm to us that they are hosting the 2019 SEA Games."
The official mascot for the SEA Games performs. (EPA photo)
Tan Sri Tunku Imran quashed fears over the situation in the Philippines and Marawi, saying that the POC has assured the safety and security of all member countries with full backing of the government of President Rodrigo Duterte.
"Marawi is very far from the proposed places and venues of the next SEA Games. And we were also assured that Cojuangco, who is the next SEA Games chairman himself, will receive the flag at the handing over of the Games flag during the closing ceremony of the 2017 Games on Aug 30," said Tan Sri Tunku Imran.
Cojuangco said: "We had an agreement with our the secretary of foreign affairs that we will proceed with the hosting of the 30th SEA Games.
"I have suggested to hold the events in three provinces to avoid the traffic congestion in Manila, namely Bulacan, Pampanga and Zambales, for the convenience of our visitors and guests during the SEA Games.
"There is also a newly constructed stadium, the Philippine Arena, which might be used as one of the venues as well."
The Philippines last hosted the Games in 2005 in Manila where they won 113 gold medals and emerged as overall champions.
SCHOOLING'S APOLOGIES
Singapore's Olympic swimming champion Joseph Schooling has apologised to Malaysians after he raised hackles by promising to "teach them a thing or two" at the SEA Games.
The 22-year-old said he was "really sorry" for his unguarded comments, which made him a target for Malaysian fans. He had earlier insisted the remarks were taken out of context.
"If I offended anyone, I do apologise... that wasn't my intention," the 100m butterfly Olympic gold-medallist told reporters, after arriving in Kuala Lumpur Saturday. "I'm really sorry for my comments and I definitely didn't mean it that way."
Schooling won Singapore's first and only Olympic gold medal in 2016 in Rio, while neighbouring Malaysia is yet to produce an Olympic champion.
The Texas-based swimmer won nine gold medals at the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore, but he said he will contest a smaller programme of six events in Kuala Lumpur, including relays.
"I'll do my best in all of them. I'm just going to do my best and let the outcome speak for itself," he said.