KUCHING: After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Malaysia Buddhist Association Sarawak Branch (MBASB) will hold a Wesak Day celebration at their Main Temple in Jalan Tun Abdul Razak here on Sunday in collaboration with the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR) and UNIFOR Charitable Trust.
Coincidentally, this year marks the 60th year since Wesak Day became a public holiday in Malaysia.
The guest-of-honour will be Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the People’s Republic of China, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Kuching City South Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang, Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, the UNIFOR Charitable Trust Board of Trustees, and Heads of Other Religious Institutions.
As the country is still in the phase of transition to endemicity, Lim Teck Hui, the Secretary General of MBASB, said the number of invited guests is limited to 200 people for the official ceremony.
“The official event will start at 8.30am and last until 5pm, with the public being allowed to enter around 8am.”
“Wearing a mask is a must and we are still practicing social distancing.”
Two of the main programmes that will take place in conjunction with the Wesak Day celebration are a blood donation campaign and the Bathing Ceremony, also known as “Buddha Bathing”, which will be performed by Buddhists.
