‘RESPECT EACH OTHER’ – 2 MINISTERS TELL MALAYSIANS AS CABINET DECIDES ALL RACES SHOULD CELEBRATE CULTURAL FESTIVALS TOGETHER AFTER MAHATHIR’S MOE & JAKIM STIR UP A RUCKUS OVER ‘PONGGAL’

COMMUNICATIONS and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo has called on the people to maintain the spirit of respect for one another to strengthen unity in the country.

He said by doing so, they would be able to lead a happy and progressive life.

“We, Malaysians, are from different background, culture and religion, but what makes us a strong and close community is that we respect one another.

“We must take steps to ensure that all Malaysians can celebrate their respective custom, culture and religion,” he said during a Ponggal festival at Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Puchong last night.

Also present was Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Lim, in his speech, said the spirit of unity and tolerance in the society had to be preserved.

“We celebrate each other’s celebrations not only with open hearts, but also with open houses where we eat together. That is the Malaysian culture, we celebrate it together.”

He said the country’s multiracial society should not be influenced by certain quarters using issues to stir racial sentiments as it could jeopardise harmony.

At the event, Gobind and Lim witnessed the cooking of sweet rice with milk in clay pots, and then see the contents overflow. This overflowing of contents is symbolic of abundance and prosperity.

Ponggal or harvest festival is a celebration for the Indian community, especially for farmers, and falls on the 10th month of the Tamil calendar. – Bernama

Cabinet agrees communities should celebrate cultural festivals together

THE cabinet today decided that cultural celebrations should be participated and celebrated by all Malaysians as one united society, said Minister for National Unity and Social Wellbeing in the Prime Minister’s Department, P. Waytha Moorthy.

He said the decision was made at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad after concerns were raised regarding the participation of Muslims in the cultural festivals of non-Muslims.

“Malaysia is well known for its diverse cultures, so in the spirit of the Rukun Negara and true unity, we should all celebrate such festivals without prejudice or malice,” Waytha said in a statement today.

Waytha Moorthy said he and Minister for Religious Affairs in the Prime Minister’s Department, Dr Mujahid Yusof would be meeting various religious bodies to provide a better understanding of the difference between traditional and religious celebrations.

It is hoped future explanations about such celebrations are more accurate, he said. –BERNAMA