Nancy Reagan in Malaysia to Study Drug Problems

Nancy Reagan arrived in Kuala Lumpur today, saying she wanted to learn about the drug problems in Malaysia and Thailand and see how the United States could help.

About 60 Muslim young people, shouting “U.S. aggressor go home,” demonstrated in front of the U.S. Embassy to protest the First Lady’s visit and the American attack on Libya, police said. They said the demonstrators also burned an Israeli flag.

Mrs. Reagan, who will travel to Thailand on Saturday, got a red-carpet welcome from Dr. Siti Hasmah, her host, and the wife of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed.

As the First Lady was driven in a motorcade from the airport to her hotel, crowds waved from the highway. Later, she had tea with the Malaysian Raja Permaisuri Agong (queen), Tengku Zanariah, at the yellow-domed National Palace.

They exchanged gifts at the glass chandeliered hall of the palace, with Mrs. Reagan receiving a golden belt from the queen.

They then moved to a large ballroom, where they witnessed traditional Malay dances while sitting in chairs with golden yellow trimmings.

On her flight from Bali, Indonesia, Mrs. Reagan told reporters accompanying her that she was not endorsing Malaysia’s tough program that mandates the death penalty for anyone convicted of drug trafficking.

“I am not endorsing anything,” she said. “All I’m trying to do is to get people more knowledgeable about drugs.”