2011 Penang Wesak Day Message by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in Komtar, George Town on Monday, 16^th May 2011: 

2011 Penang Wesak Day Message 

Wesak Day is celebrated by wishing blessings not just for Buddhists but for all mankind including Muslims, Christians and Hindus. Praying for peace and harmony, prosperity and justice, public accountability and good governance is not enough. Malaysians must also act by speaking up together that as we see each other as Malaysian brothers and sisters who firmly reject hatred, unequivocally abhor extremists and universally condemn violence.

Penangites are very concerned at the specific targeting of the Christian community with dangerous lies by the UMNO-owned newspaper Utusan Malaysia that DAP and Christian priests want to set up a Christian state and appoint a Christian Prime Minister. Instead of taking action against Utusan Malaysia for spreading such dangerous lies, the BN government and Home Ministry has allowed these dangerous lies to continue until Perkasa's Ibrahim Ali is launching a crusade against Christians.

This threat of violence and war is anathema to all peace-loving Malaysians. By failing to take firm action against Ibrahim Ali for his threats of a crusade, the 1 Malaysia slogan of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is empty and meaningless to be used only to mislead Malaysians for votes.

The time has come for Malaysians to stand up for peace and step out with each other on the common principle that no one should be discriminated based on race or religion. Just because of the colour of his skin, everything he does is wrong. Just because of the gods she pray, every lie said against her is justified. This is not only unacceptable to all moral and religious teachings, it is inhumane as well.

Even though Christians and not Buddhists are targeted by UMNO and Utusan Malaysia this time, what is there to stop Budhhists and Hindus from being the next targets in future. Remember the famous quotation by the anti-Nazi and prominent Protestant pastor Martin Niem?ller (1892-1984) who said:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out --

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out --

Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out --

Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me -- and there was no one left to speak for me

DAP calls on all peace-loving Malaysian regardless of race and religion to unite against such extremists who dare to use the language of violence because of inaction or even tacit support by the BN government. All of us should pray regardless of our faith that truth will prevail and peace maintained in our beloved country.

*Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minister