HL: Loke acknowledges Buddhist community's role in nation-building
HANA NAZ HARUN
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Buddhist community, as the second-largest religious population in the country, continues to contribute significantly to nation-building.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the efforts of the Buddhist community in promoting cultural and social values had enriched the country's multiracial society and fostered interethnic and interreligious understanding.
"Since independence, we have built our beloved Malaysia with diverse cultures, religions, and traditions.
"We have journeyed the path of unity, where every step forward is a testament to our collective strength and harmony.
"Keeping unity is of utmost priority so that our future generations can continue to enjoy a peaceful life in Malaysia."
He said this at the launch of the 2024 Wesak float procession at Buddhist Maha Vihara temple in Brickfields, today.
Loke added that Wesak Day, a day to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha, had been recognised as an important national holiday.
This year's Wesak Day celebration theme, 'Living Harmoniously, Thriving Society', was a theme for the society as a whole.
"For the nation to progress, we need a united and harmonious society to progress forward as a peaceful and stable society which can only come from an understanding and harmonious existence of the people.
"The ingredient of peace and harmony is the catalyst for the vision of our current government to materialise, the concept of Malaysia Madani.
"With so many different languages, dialects, beliefs, yet we are proud to be able to live in a peaceful society and strive to be a fast-developing country," said Loke.
He added that due to Malaysian Buddhists' strong principle guiding their ideology, the Buddhists have been able to avoid confrontation with other religious practices and ideology.
"This non- confrontation principle has been working extremely well as we can see today where leaders of the different religious groups like the grouping of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoistism (MCCBCHST) can come together to discuss matters of common interest.
"This element of patience, tolerance and understanding is the key element in bringing together of the many for the common interest of the people of Malaysia.
"This attitude of tolerance is vitally important today in a world which is being torn apart from sectarian violence which is devastating the lives of people in so many parts of the world," he said.
At the launching ceremony, Loke also announced an allocation of RM50,000 to the Joint Wesak Celebration Committee.
"This is in support of the committee's work," he added.
About 50,000 people are involved in this year's float procession.
They will walk about 12 kilometres around Kuala Lumpur before returning to the temple.