Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism explained

Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism
Native Name:Majlis Perundingan Malaysia Agama Buddha, Kristian, Hindu, Sikh dan Tao
Abbreviation:MCCBCHST
Formation:1983
Purpose:To acts as a consultative and liaison body the main non-Muslim faith communities in Malaysia.
Headquarters:123, Jalan Berhala, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Region Served:Malaysia
Leader Title:President

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (Malay: Majlis Perundingan Malaysia Agama Buddha, Kristian, Hindu, Sikh dan Tao; abbrev: MCCBCHST) is a non-profit interfaith organization in Malaysia. Initially formed in 1983 as the "Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism", it is composed primarily of officials from the main non-Muslim faith communities in Malaysia and acts as a consultative and liaison body towards more open dialogue and co-operation. It prioritizes round-table dialogue as its principal means towards conflict resolution amongst all Malaysians, irrespective of creed, religion, race, culture, or gender. In 2006, Taoists were officially represented for the first time in the organization and the name was changed to the current form in their Annual General Meeting on 27 September of the same year. Their current vision is represented through the slogan "Many Faiths, One Nation."[1]

Mission

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism currently describes their aims and objectives through seven different subsets.

Composition

The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism is composed of representative member bodies within each respective religion.

Buddhism is represented by the Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA), Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia (BMSM) and the Sasana Wardhana Society (SAWS).

Christianity is represented by the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) [incorporating the [[Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei|Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia]] (CBCM), Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) and National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF)].

Hinduism is represented by the Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS).

Sikhism is represented by the Malaysian Gurdwaras Council (MGC), Khalsa Diwan Malaysia (KDM), and Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM).

Taoism is represented by the Federation of Taoist Associations MALAYSIA (FTAM).

Leadership

The 2019-2021 executive board for the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Taoism:

Archbishop Julian Leow Beng KimPresidentChristian Federation Malaysia (CFM)
Sardar Jagir SinghDeputy PresidentMalaysian Gurdwaras Council (MGC)
Datuk Mohan ShanmugamVice PresidentMalaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS)
Daozhang Tan Hoe ChieowVice PresidentFederation of Taoist AssociationsMalaysia (FTAM)
Ven Sing KanVice PresidentMalaysia Buddhist Association (MBA)
Ms Gowri PS  ThangayaHon Secretary GeneralMalaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS)
Rev. Dr. Hermen ShastriHon Assistant Secretary GeneralCouncil of Churches Malaysia (CCM)
Mr. Prematilaka KD SerisenaHon Treasurer GeneralSasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society
Mr Tan Mee TakHon Assistant Treasurer GeneralFederation of Taoist AssociationsMalaysia (FTAM)
Ms Sally CheeExco MemberMalaysia Buddhist Association (MBA)
Ms Loh Pai LingExco MemberBuddhist Missionary Society Malaysia (MBA)
Rev Andy Chi Cheng KheeExco MemberNational Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECW)
Mr Tan Kong BengExco MemberChristian Federation Malaysia (CFM)
Rev Dr Fr Clarance DevadasExco MemberChristian Federation Malaysia (CFM)
Mr Ganesan ThangavelluExco MemberMalaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS)
Mr Balakrishnan ParasuramanExco MemberMalaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS)
Sardar Darshan SinghExco MemberMalaysian Gurdwaras Council (MGC)
Sardar Bhag Singh SandhuExco MemberKhalsa Diwan Malaysia (KDM)
Sardar Jagjit SinghExco MemberSikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM)
Daozhang Lau Chean KiatExco MemberFederation of Taoist AssociationsMalaysia (FTAM)
Mr Teh Hieng ChieExco MemberFederation of Taoist AssociationsMalaysia (FTAM)
[2]

Recognition

In May 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) partnered with the MCCBHST and other faith-based organizations in Malaysia to commemorate Wesak Day. The WHO worked closely with the MCCBHST to devise a set of six simple, positive tips depicting small family group worshipping and safe temple-based activities for the COVID-19 pandemic. Venerable Sing Kan, Vice President of the MCCBHST, was quoted by the WHO in response to a movement control order that was issued by the Malaysian Government to regulate the celebration. He stated, "The conditional movement control order raised a lot of questions about Wesak Day - what we could and couldn't do, what were safe alternatives to gathering and festivities during this Holy Day, and most importantly how could we keep ourselves and families safe from COVID-19."[3]

On May 12, 2021, the U.S. Department of State Office of International Religious Freedom released the 2020 Report on International Religious Freedom: Malaysia. Section III, Status of Societal Respect for Religious Freedom, directly quoted a press statement made by the MCCBHST in September 2020. The report expressed the MCCBHST's "grave concern on the escalation of religious animosity between religious groups manufactured by some politicians to divide and rule."[4]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Malaysian Consultative Council Of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism And Taoism (MCCBCHST) - Hati Serving The Community Hati Serving the community. 31 January 2013 . 2021-10-21. en-US.
  2. Web site: MCCBCHST – Malaysia Hindu Sangam. 2021-10-22. en-US.
  3. Web site: WHO partnered with faith-based organizations in Malaysia to make Wesak Day as colourful and meaningful as ever. 2021-10-22. www.who.int. en.
  4. Web site: Malaysia. 2021-10-22. United States Department of State. en-US.