SPEECH BY YAB LIM GUAN ENG “MAJLIS PELANCARAN PROJEK PUSAT HARMONI (HARMONY CENTRE), JALAN SCOTLAND, DAERAH TIMUR LAUT, PULAU PINANG” 19 APRIL 2018 (THURSDAY), 9.30 AM
Cultural and religious diversity and tolerance in Malaysia are the hallmarks of a harmonious and progressive society. Only a harmonious and progressive society can a state be international and intelligent.
Where else , in the world can you find a Street of Harmony, where 4 major religious buildings/temples are just meters apart from each other along a short 800-meter street:
For the Chinese we have the Goddess of Mercy Temple
For the Muslims, there is Kapitan Keling Mosque
For the Hindus, we have Sri Maha Mariamman Temple; and
For the Christians, the St George’s Church
The proximity of these places of worship shows Penang’s rich multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious population that has respect for each other and able to co-exist in harmony. In the old days, Harmony Street was the main street in George Town where people meet, work, play and pray in peace. Hence, the appropriate name of Street of Harmony was coined.
The idea of this Harmony Center is built upon this premise where the unique and rich diversity of Penang people from various cultural and religious backgrounds, especially for religions other than Islam, can share a common venue, to hold and promote their various activities throughout the year.
The Harmony Centre will be a permanent home and activity centre for all religious bodies in Penang, potentially becoming a universal community space for religious activities for all walks of life. This Centre is set up to manage affairs specifically for Penang Non-Islamic Religions Executive Council portfolio
Four major functions intended for the Harmony Centre: –
Learning;
Administration;
Events; and
Meetings & Seminar,
which are programmed into different spaces within the existing 4,300 sq.ft.bungalow, such as offices, function rooms, dining areas and conference rooms. A new building of 2,800 sqft community hall will be constructed beside the bungalow to accommodate larger events. The centre is expected to have a capacity of 300 persons at once. It will be complemented by the vast green lawn around the site which will be used for public outdoor activities in the future.
This Harmony Centre will be a venue for religious activities and events that are non-Islamic. These events can be in the form of yoga lessons, meditation sessions, arts and music, religious talks/seminars/ conventions and meetings.
The State government has allocated RM3 million to refurbish and expand this building and we target to open this by February 2019.
The State Government will continue to support and has implemented 11 measures to uphold the Federal Constitution’s guarantees of freedom of worship.
Establishing a Penang Executive Council (EXCO) for religions other than Islam portfolio that is headed by the Penang Chief Minister
Allocating land for places of religious worship for religions other than Islam
Providing funding amounting to RM30 million since 2008
Granting approval by local government councils for construction of places of religious worship for religions other than Islam
Granting a yearly allocation of RM1.5 million to the Hindu Endowment Board
Giving a building in Macalister Road for Hindu Endowment Board to manage theirs affairs
Ensuring that housing developers must provide for an equal amount of religious land for religions other than Islam
Giving a building in Scotland Road to manage affairs specifically for Penang Executive Council (EXCO) for Religions Other Than Islam portfolio
Annual allocations of RM50,000 to Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taosiam (MCCBCHST)
Annual allocations to missionary or religious-based schools registered under the Ministry of Education.
Apply for approval of paid leave for state government servants to non-Muslims conducting religious pilgrimage similar to Muslims performing their haj and umrah.
The Penang State Government has pledged to ensure that the Federal Constitution’s provision of freedom of worship is upheld and we have proven by delivering our commitments since 2008.
I hereby officiate the RM3 million Harmony Centre Project.
Thank you.
YAB Lim Guan Eng
19 April 2018
==========Mandarin Version ======
林冠英在苏格兰路的和和谐中心启动仪式的演讲稿2018 年4月19日早上9时30分
槟州非回教徒协会主席，先生女士们，以及媒体朋友，
大家早。
在马来西亚，文化和宗教多元化及宽容是和谐和进步社会的标志。唯有一个和谐进步的社会，国家才能在智慧及国际方面两双全。
你哪里可能在世界各地找到集四座主要的宗教建筑物/寺庙在一条仅800米长的和谐之街- 椰脚街？唯有槟城：
a）对于华人，我们有椰脚街观音庙
b）穆斯林有椰脚街甲必丹吉灵清真寺
c）对于印度教徒，我们有斯里玛哈玛丽安曼寺庙; 和
d）对于基督徒，圣乔治教堂
这些祈祷场所的邻近地区显示了槟城人民富有多民族，多文化和多宗教信仰，彼此相互尊重，能够和睦相处。在过去，和谐街是乔治市的主要街道，人们在这里和平相处，工作，玩耍和祈祷。因此，椰脚街确实是名副其实的和谐之街。
这个和谐中心的理念建立在这样一个前提之上：来自不同文化和宗教背景的槟城人民，尤其是伊斯兰教以外的宗教人群，独特而丰富的多样性可以共享一个共同的场所，持续和促进他们全年的各种活动。
和谐中心将成为槟城所有宗教团体的永久居所和活动中心，可能成为各行各业宗教活动的普遍社区空间。该中心专门负责管理槟城非伊斯兰宗教执行委员会组合的事务
和谐中心有四大功能： –
一）学习;
二）管理;
三）活动; 及
四）会议和研讨会，
在这座面积4千300平方尺的洋楼内，如办公室，多功能厅，用餐区和会议室等，均被编入不同的空间。在洋楼旁边将建造一座2,800平方尺的社区大厅，以容纳大型活动。该中心预计一次可容纳300人。它将与现场周围广阔的绿色草坪相辅相成，将来将用于公共户外活动。
这个和谐中心将成为非伊斯兰教的宗教活动和活动的场所。这些活动可以是瑜伽课程，静坐课程，艺术和音乐，宗教讲座/研讨会/会议和会议。
州政府已拨款300万令吉翻新和扩建这座大楼，我们的目标是在2019年2月之前开放。
槟州政府将竭尽所能支持伊斯兰教以外的宗教，维护宪法宗教自由政策，州政府实施以下11项措施来确保宗教自由：
1) 成立一个以槟州首长为首的槟州五大宗教事务理事会
2) 保留土地给予伊斯兰教以外的宗教膜拜崇拜场所
3) 自2008年开始共拨出3000万令吉的资助款项
4) 透过地方政府部门批准非伊斯兰教的其他宗教建设宗教场所
5) 每年拨出150万令吉给兴都基金会
6) 将中路的一栋建筑拨给兴都基金会作为办事处
7) 确保发展商提供同等面积宗教土地给伊斯兰教以外的宗教
8) 将苏格兰路的一栋建筑拨给槟州五大教宗教（佛教、基督教、兴都教、锡克教及道教）事务办事处
9) 每年拨出5万令吉给马来西亚五大宗教（佛教、基督教、兴都教、锡克教及道教）咨询理事会
10) 每年拨款给非回教宗教学校或注册于教育部的宗教学校
11) 申请批准，让槟州非穆斯林公务员享有类似穆斯林朝圣假期的“宗教 朝圣”带薪假期
槟州政府承诺确保联邦宪法规定的宗教自由得到遵守，并且自2008年以来履行我们的承诺就证明了这一点。
我仅此宣布这项300万令吉的和谐中心项目正式启动。
谢谢
林冠英