Malaysians show solidarity for Sri Lanka

KUALA LUMPUR: Several Cabinet ministers and fellow Malaysians came together to show support and solidarity for Sri Lanka after the terror attacks that killed hundreds of people there.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said all Malaysians must stand united against violence.

“If there is a rising wave of hatred, we must stand above the wave and spread the wave of peace.

“Peace is the strongest weapon against violence,” said Mujahid at the vigil last night.

He added that no human being should attach any form of violence to any religion because violence has no religion.

“Violence has no faith. So let’s stand and unite. Salam Sri Lanka. We are with you,” he said.

Mujahid also offered his condolences to the families and victims of the attacks and hoped that action would be taken against the perpetrators.

He also thanked the Malaysian police who had stepped up security at houses of worship and diplomatic missions throughout the country following the attacks.

Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar said all Malaysians should not condone violence.

“I hope that this will never happen in any place, not just Malaysia but all over.

“We cannot live with the motto of ‘an eye for an eye’,” he added.

Also present were Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok, Acting Sri Lanka High Commissioner Majintha Jayasinghe and Malaysia chief high priest Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana.

The #SalamSriLanka rally was organised by Gabungan Bertindak Malaysia, in collaboration with the Committee to Promote Inter-Religious Understanding and Harmony.

Over 100 people attended the vigil which was held opposite St Mary’s Cathedral at Dataran Merdeka.

Separately, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism urged all places of worship to take precautionary measures to safeguard their premises.

Its president Datuk R.S. Mohan Shan said the council had asked all religious institutions, especially the Hindu Sangam temples, to beef up security.

“It is not because we are scared. We have to be alert and don’t want any untoward incidents to happen,” he said, adding that they would work closely with the police.

Buddhist Maha Vihara vice-president Prematilaka Serisena said they would set up a meeting with the police soon to discuss extra security measures for its temples.

“Our president is working on it. And we are already taking precautions. This is because all churches have increased their security measures.

“Right now, the focus is on Christians but as Wesak Day is coming, we also need to be extra careful,” he said.

Earlier, the Catholic Archdiocese sent a notice to all its local parishes to take additional measures to safeguard their premises.

The Council of Churches Malaysia had also sent out a safety advisory to all churches.