KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — Transport Minister Anthony Loke has today highlighted how unity is the key for Malaysians to live peacefully with each other.
Speaking ahead of the Wesak procession here, Loke said Malaysians can continue to live in peace and harmony in its multi-ethnic and multi-religious society by dedicating themselves to doing good.
“For the nation to progress, we need to be united and progress towards a peaceful and stable society which can only come from an understanding and harmonious existence of its people to materialise the concept of Malaysia Madani.
“In Malaysia, we can still enjoy peace and prosperity which we can see for ourselves today with the gathering here at the Buddhist Maha Vihara, Brickfields, coming forward for the procession,” he said in a speech when launching the Wesak Float Procession 2023.
Loke said Buddhists make up 20 per cent of Malaysia's population, and with their belief can contribute towards a peaceful and prosperous nation.
“The Buddhist form an important element in contributing to peace and prosperity. Malaysian Buddhists have strong principles, with the Middle Path being their guiding ideology.
“With this principle, Buddhists have been able to co-exist with other religious practices and ideologies peacefully,” he said.
The Middle Path of Way is a central concept in Buddhism that advocates for a path of moderation, based on the idea that all suffering in life arises from attachment and craving.
Buddhists believe that by following the Middle Way — such as by living a balanced life, avoiding extremes of pleasure or asceticism, and cultivating mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom — one can achieve freedom from suffering and attain enlightenment.
This year's Wesak national theme is “united progress towards national prosperity and resilient citizens” or “muafakat membawa kemakmuran” in Malay.
The celebration returned after three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The float today passed through Jalan Petaling, Jalan Yap Ah Loy, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Pudu in the nation's capital here.
