KUALA LUMPUR, April 21: The Olympic torch was carried through blistering sun, torrential rain and isolated protests in Malaysia on Monday, completing another segment of its round-the-world relay that has become a magnet for protests against China's crackdown in Tibet.

The president of the Olympic Council of Malaysia, Imran Jaafar, set off first with the torch, accompanied by uniformed policemen and motorcycle outriders. ''I am very excited, very honored to be the first runner. The honor is not just for myself, but also for the country,'' Imran said.

As the relay progressed, the skies darkened and the city was lashed by a torrential downpour. Still, the torch bearers plodded through the puddles, accompanied by Chinese security personnel in blue and white tracksuits.

A Japanese brother and sister and the woman's 5-year-old boy were heckled and roughed up by Chinese nationals when they unfurled a Tibetan flag before the start of the heavily guarded relay in downtown Kuala Lumpur.

Police detained the Japanese but released them without charges after about six hours. The Chinese were not detained.

The only serious incident marring the 16-kilometer (10-mile) run in Malaysia involved the Japanese family, whom hundreds of Chinese nationals confronted at Independence Square where the relay began.

The torch ended at the Petronas Twin Towers in the center of Kuala Lumpur after passing through the hands of 80 runners.

Its next stop is Jakarta, Indonesia, where a shortened, invitation-only relay is to take place under heavy security Tuesday.—AP