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His Excellency Secretary-General,

His Excellency President of the General Assembly,

Mr. Co-Chairs, Venerable Maha Sanga, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

On the occasion of the International Day of Wesak, allow me to wish ‘Happy Vesak day’ to everyone celebrating this holy day.

 

2.      I also join others in expressing our gratitude to both Permanent Representatives of Sri Lanka and Thailand, the Co-Chairs of the Vesak Day celebration at the UN this year and all the committee members for organising today’s important commemoration event.

 

Your Excellencies, Co-Chairs, Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,

 

 

3.      We are here today to join our Buddhist friends around the world to honour the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Buddha. Peace, harmony, servitude and recognition of common humanity are some of the universal values shared by Buddhists devotees, that humanity desperately need right now.

 

Your Excellencies, Co-Chairs, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

 

4.      As you all know, Malaysia is a multicultural and multireligious country where people practice different faiths, beliefs and religion.

 

5.      We have close to 20 percent of the 30 million population in Malaysia who are practicing Buddhism. To respect and honour of them, the holy day of Vesak is celebrated in Malaysia and has been declared as a public holiday since 1962. This is a manifestation of Malaysia’s long history of practicing moderation, tolerance, respect and close interaction among peoples of different faiths and cultures.  

 

6.      We firmly believe that moderation, tolerance and acceptance of our diversity would contribute not only in addressing differences and conflicts peacefully but also in ensuring sustainable and inclusive development, equitable growth, social harmony and mutual understanding within a country or region.

 

 

Your Excellencies, Mr. Co-Chairs, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

 

7.      I wish to reiterate Malaysia’s continued support for this annual celebration. This annual celebration would remind all of us on the importance of promoting understanding among people of different cultures, religions and civilizations, particularly in our common efforts towards achieving a more peaceful world.

 

I thank you.