PADANG TERAP: Kedah has allocated RM70,000 for the state-level Songkran celebration this year, as part of efforts to strengthen unity.
State human resources, Chinese, Indian, Siamese communities and NGOs committee chairman Wong Chia Zhen said the event, now in its third year, reflected harmony among the state’s multi-ethnic communities.
Of the total, RM40,000 was for the state-level celebration while RM30,000 was distributed to Buddhist temples across Kedah for their own events.
The celebration took place on Saturday and Sunday (April 18 and 19).
He said the state approved an additional RM10,000 to support Thai language classes in several districts, including Padang Terap, Sik, Kupang, Baling and Pendang.
"This is important to ensure the Siamese community’s language and culture are preserved and passed on to future generations," he said at Wat Pedu here on Sunday.
Kedah has the largest population of ethnic Siamese Malaysians in the country, about 21,000.
Wong said claims that the celebration would affect the state’s treated water supply were inaccurate, adding that river sources were used.
He said the state would continue to support the event as a symbol of unity.
Wong also said claims that Kedah’s National Unity Index was low did not reflect the reality on the ground.
"Unity is not just a number. It is seen in the daily lives of people from different communities living together in harmony," he added.
