Dialogue the key, says DPM

thestar.com.my

Wednesday May 18, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin called on the various religious bodies to continue holding dialogues as it is the key to maintaining the country's harmony.

Religious leaders have an important role in maintaining peace, said the Deputy Prime Minister, and this would then allow Malaysia to enjoy its growth and prosperity.

“This country has a spirit of togetherness and this is known worldwide,” he said.

In Malaysia, houses of worship of the various religions were located close to one another, such as in Brickfields, he said.

“Brickfields is a manifestation of our preparedness to recognise diversity and treasure it. We come from different faiths but we are one in the eyes of God,” Muhyiddin said at a Wesak Day open house at the Buddhist Maha Vihara temple in Jalan Berhala, Brickfields here yesterday.

Muhyiddin said Buddhists comprised 19% of the population and they contributed immensely to the growth of the nation.

Present at the open house were temple high priest of Malaysia Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana and Pure Life Society founder Datin Paduka Mother Mangalam.

MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha credited Malaysia's peaceful existence to the virtuous conduct of its people.

“I do not worry what your religion is or whether you are religious or not. What is most important is your behaviour towards family, community and the world,” he said.

At a separate Wesak Day event at the Chempaka Buddhist Lodge in Petaling Jaya yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said most Malaysians were moderates who rejected extremist views.

He added that the extremists in the country were few, but vocal, and did not deserve undue public attention.

Thousands witnessed the 12km procession which passed through Jalan Bukit Bintang and back to the temple at about midnight.