2013 Merdeka Speech 2013年 国庆日献词 - Mr. Goh Qing Song the President of theYBAM

2013 Merdeka Speech by Mr. Goh Qing Song the President of the Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia

  Mr. Goh Qing Song the President of theYBAM

The Federation of Malaya proclaimed its independence from British colonial rule on August 31, 1957. Since then, the nation has strived to uphold the spirit of the Federal Constitution and to protect the basic rights of its people regardless of their race and beliefs. The independence of the nation was hard-earned through the collaborative efforts and the indomitable will of the predecessors of different races.

Social harmony and solidarity are the keys to the continual development of the nation. It would be difficult for a country to move forward if its people are in a constant turmoil with no sense of what’s right or wrong. It has been disappointing to realize that there are still many irresponsible comments and actions from certain parties designed to manipulate the sentiments of the people. We need to respect the fact that the achievement of the nation today has come about from the collaborative efforts and participation of all Malaysians regardless of race or religious beliefs. Hence, it is the obligation of every Malaysian citizen to continue to do our part to uphold the stability and the unity of our beloved country.

Malaysia is blessed with a multi-racial and multi-cultural environment. It is this environment which allows new ideas to bloom and new talents to be nurtured so that our nation can excel in many areas. We must therefore be grateful and be generous and open-minded about the differences which surround us.

On August 28, 1963, the American activist Martin Luther King, Jr delivered a far-reaching speech which defined the American dream and also marked a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement. In conjunction with the 56^th year of Malaysia’s independence, we urge the government and the people of Malaysia to embrace the Malaysian dream which call for:

      i.     a fair economic plan that will benefit all Malaysians regardless of their race and beliefs, as this will ensure that the people will remain united and the nation will continue to develop and prosper

    ii.     a fair education system that will take care of the needs of all Malaysians regardless of their race and beliefs, as this will ensure a society that is well-informed and conscientious

  iii.     fair policies which embrace both the commonality and the differences between the various cultures and religions, as this will ensure that the rich heritage of all of our ancestors will be preserved and appreciated by our people today.

Last but not least, I wish all Malaysians a happy Merdeka day and may we all achieve the Malaysian dream very soon.

2013 国庆日献词 - 马来西亚佛教青年总会总会长吴青松
1957年8月31日我们的国家正式摆脱英国殖民地的身份宣布独立，各族人民享有平等的公民权，共同发展马来西亚。国家独立得来不易，是各族先贤以高度智慧，历经许多的心血换来的。社会和谐及人民团结是国家发展的基石，这是金科玉律。国家不可能在混乱中，是非黑白不分中发展，就正如纷扰浑浊的湖水，不不可能清澄见底一样。
在国家独立56年后的今天，很遗憾的国家似乎还是充斥着许多的极端种族论或宗教论，把一池澄净的湖水扰乱了。今天国家所有的发展成果，都是马来西亚人民的集体创作，不分种族，不分宗教信仰。因此我们都需要尽各自的义务，共同守护，对于极端的种族论或宗教论，负责任的马来西亚国民都要勇敢的说“不”。
多元种族、文化及信仰，是上天给予马来西亚的恩赐，也是这份多元，让马来西亚在各个领域百花齐放，大放异彩。因此我们要心怀感恩，在多元的大环境下，放下自我，培养豁达及包容的性格。
1963年8月28日，美国马丁·路德·金提出了“美国梦”，这个梦对于美国人民影响深远，也促使了美国尊重多元，真正走向公平及开放。在国家独立了56年的今天，我也想提出马来西亚人民的梦想，我们期望：

i.         国家经济发展能惠益各族人民，如此则国民能温饱，国家也必然安泰；

ii.       国家教育能平衡发展，如此则能塑造一个有高度自觉的社群，异端邪信也不会有立足之地；

iii.      国家政策能够尊重多元文化及信仰，如此则国家文化瑰宝必然得以保存，马来西亚文明也能在世界大放异彩。

如果能够做到以上三点，则国家必然能永续发展，人民也会知足感恩。最后，祝福马来西亚：国庆日快乐，有愿必成。