King and Queen extend wishes to all Buddhists

KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah wished Malaysian Buddhists a happy Wesak Day.

In a statement issued via Istana Negara’s Facebook page yesterday, Their Majesties expressed hope that this auspicious day for Buddhists would be celebrated with new practices by prioritising personal, family and community safety.

“Be patient in facing this challenge and let us all play a role in helping to fight the Covid-19 pandemic by practising self-discipline in complying with the standard operating procedure of the movement control order, ” said Their Majesties in the statement.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin also wished all Malaysian Buddhists a happy Wesak Day and hoped it would be celebrated in a new norm with family members at home in a lively atmosphere.

He hoped that this year’s celebration would give a new spirit and commitment to all devotees to continue to persevere in facing all challenges for the common good and a brighter future for the country.

“In the face of an extraordinary pandemic situation, let us practise ‘self-lockdown’ as well as family movement to break the chain of Covid-19 infection.

“Avoid leaving home except for important matters.

“To reduce mass gatherings in conjunction with the festival, obey the instructions that only religious leaders and the temple management committee are allowed to visit the house of worship, ” he said in a statement on his official Facebook account.

He also called on the people to adhere to the SOP of the movement control order so that the pandemic could be contained and eradicated soon.

“It is to enable us to return to celebrate the festivals in our country as lively as before, ” he said. — Bernama