More than 150 Buddhist and Taoist sites will benefit from a RM1.2 million allocation under Selangor’s Five Major Religions Financial Assistance Scheme (Limas) by 2025.
The allocation was made during the state-level Vesak celebrations at Maha Karuna Vihara in Elmina, Shah Alam.
State Executive Councillor for Investment, Trade and Mobility Ng See Han said the aid can be used for the repair, maintenance and upgrading of religious facilities.
“Through Limas, we systematically allocate funds to temples, churches and viharas every year,” said Ng, who co-chairs the state’s special committees for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism.
“This year, under the first phase of the Limas 2025 programme, we will allocate RM1.2 million to Buddhist and Taoist sites.”
Ng said Selangor has been providing such support since 2009, reflecting its long-term commitment to religious harmony, tolerance and cultural preservation.
The celebration was jointly organized by the Selangor State Government and the Theravada Buddhist Council of Malaysia (TBCM), and supported by the Buddhist Consultative Council of Malaysia and the Maha Bodhi Society.
Tan Ling Huat, president of the Penang Chinese Association of Malaysia, said: “This year’s national theme for Vesak Day is ‘Empathy and Wisdom Based on Harmony’.
“This means using empathy and wisdom as the driving force for harmonious living. ”
Tan said the event incorporated multicultural dance performances, including the Tarian Muhibah, which showcased the characteristics of various ethnic groups through a single dance choreography.
The presence of multiple Buddhist traditions and representatives of other faiths reflects the strength of Malaysia’s diversity, said B. Sri Saranankara Nayaka Maha Thera, chief high priest of the Buddhist temple.
Attendees included Mohd Sha’walludin Aziz, deputy director of the Selangor Economic Planning Unit (local government department), Liew Yong San, speaker of the Selangor State Assembly, Phua Pei Ling, state assemblyman for Bukit Lanchang, and S. Preakas, state assemblyman for Kota Kemuning.
Venerable Jue Cheng, chief abbot of Fo Guang Shan Singapore, Malaysia, India and Thailand, Venerable Liu Jianjie, secretary-general of the Malaysian Taoist Federation, Venerable Ming Ji, chairman of the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur branches of the Malaysian Buddhist Association, and Cheng Li Lian, chairman of the Malaysian Buddhist Consultative Council, also attended the event.
