Nooh Gadut appreciates Buddhist Chief High Priest’s apology

Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) advisor Datuk Nooh Gadut has expressed his appreciation at the apology given by the Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia over the surau issue in Kota Tinggi.

According to Nooh, the apology tendered by K. Sri Dhammaratana Maha Nayaka Thera was a very commendable step despite his not knowing much about the issue as it involved foreigners.

"I wish to express my appreciation and feeling of pride towards his action (apology). If every Malaysian is like him, the unity and peace in this country is assured.

"Congratulations to Sri Dhammaratana because, despite not knowing much about the issue, he still apologised to Muslims in the country and gave his assurance it would not be repeated," Nooh said when contacted in Johor Baru today.

Yesterday, Sri Dhammaratana had apologised to the Muslim community in the country over the action of a group of Buddhists from Singapore who held a meditation session at the surau of a resort in Sedili Besar, Kota Tinggi, Johor recently.

"I appeal to the whole Muslim community to accept the apology and will ensure it would not be repeated," he said.

Last Saturday, residents of a fishing village in Sedili Besar were shocked after a surau built in the compound of a resort there was used for a meditation session by a group of Buddhists from Singapore.

The manager of the resort, a 45-year-old man, was remanded for four days from yesterday while the surau faces demolition after investigations by MAINJ are completed.

Meanwhile, Kota Tinggi Member of Parliament Datuk Noor Ehsanuddin Mohd Harun Narrashid also lauded the apology from Sri Dhammaratana.

He said the apology reflected his concern for the sensitivities of the Muslim community in the country.