RM1.2mil allocation for Buddhist, Taoist houses of worship
The Selangor state-level Wesak Day celebration at Maha Karuna Vihara in Shah Alam included multicultural dance performances.
OVER 150 Buddhist and Taoist houses of worship will benefit from a RM1.2mil allocation under Selangor's Five Religions Financial Aid Scheme (Limas) for 2025.
The allocation was presented during the state-level Wesak Day celebration at Maha Karuna Vihara in Elmina, Shah Alam.
State executive councillor for investment, trade and mobility Ng Sze Han said the aid could be used for repairs, maintenance and upgrades of religious facilities.
'Through Limas, we have channelled systematic yearly allocations to temples, churches and viharas,' said Ng, who co-chairs the state's Special Committee on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism.
'This year, RM1.2mil is being disbursed to Buddhist and Taoist houses of worship under phase one of Limas 2025.'
Ng (second from right) presenting the RM1.2mil mock cheque to (from left) Sri Saranankara, Ming Ji and Chean Kiat during the state-level Wesak Day celebrations. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star
Ng said Selangor had provided such support since 2009, reflecting its long-term commitment to religious harmony, inclusion and cultural preservation.
The celebration was jointly organised by Selangor government and Theravada Buddhist Council of Malaysia (TBCM), with support from Malaysian Buddhist Consultative Council and Maha Karuna Buddhist Society.
TBCM president Tan Leng Huat said, 'Our national theme for Wesak this year is 'Empathy and Wisdom based on Harmony'.
'It means using empathy and wisdom as the stimulant for harmonious living.'
Tan said the inclusion of multicultural dance performances, including a 'Tarian Muhibah' at the event represented major ethnic identities through a single choreographed piece.
Buddhist temple chief high priest B. Sri Saranankara Nayaka Maha Thera said the presence of multiple Buddhist traditions and representatives from other faiths was a reflection of Malaysia's strength in diversity.
Present were Selangor Economic Planning Unit (local authority section) deputy director Mohd Sha'walludin Aziz, Selangor State Assembly Speaker Lau Weng San, Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Pua Pei Ling and Kota Kemuning assemblyman S. Preakas.
Venerable Jue Cheng, the Fo Guang Shan chief abbess for temples in Singapore, Malaysia, India and Thailand also attended, as did Federation of Taoist Associations Malaysia secretary-general Daozhang Lau Chean Kiat, Malaysian Buddhist Association Selangor and Kuala Lumpur branch chairman Venerable Ming Ji and Malaysian Buddhist Consultative Council president Lilian Tay.
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