KUALA LUMPUR: National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang urged all Malaysians to make the various festivals in the country a platform to know, respect and understand each other in the spirit of "harmony in diversity".
Citing the Songkran festival celebrated by the Siamese community on Sunday (April 13), he said that Siamese culture was part of the country's cultural fabric that enriched Malaysia's identity as a multicultural country, adding that his ministry always recognised and celebrated the heritage and culture of various races in Malaysia.
"I would like to wish Happy Songkran and a Happy Siamese New Year to the Siamese community in Malaysia, especially to the more than 43,071 Malaysians of Siamese descent who are part of the Malaysian family.
"Songkran not only marks the start of the new year for the Thai traditional calendar, but represents purifying oneself and love towards the family.
"It reflects the human values that form a vital core in the building of a harmonious nation-state," he said in a Facebook post Sunday.
Songkran, known as the water festival, is a three-day celebration of Thailand's New Year, and falls on April 13 annually. - Bernama
