The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia (CBCM) has called on Malaysians to strengthen unity and live harmoniously as the nation marked Malaysia Day 2025.
“On this Malaysia Day, let us commit ourselves to live in harmony as we celebrate our unity in diversity and strive for a future where everyone is respected, protected and cared for,” wrote Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching, President of the CBCM.
“True harmony begins with building friendship in our neighbourhoods, classrooms, and workplaces,” he added.
In a pastoral letter, the prelates emphasized that peace and harmony must be expressed through concrete action.
Archbishop Poh urged the public “to denounce all forms of violence – bullying in our schools, child abuse, harassment in the workplace, domestic violence in families, cyber-bullying, extremism and fundamentalism in society.”
The bishops recalled the country’s foundation on 16 September 1963, formed by the union of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore.
They noted how Malaysia Day now rightly celebrates “the coming together of diverse entities … as a unified nation – with the aim of fostering an inclusive national identity as Malaysians.”
The bishops stressed that this unity embraces “the rich diversity and unity of Malaysia’s various races, religions, cultures, faith and communities, throughout our tanah air, including the unique sounds and cultures of Borneo.”
They also pointed to the role of religious leaders in building peace. Malaysia hosted the Second Summit of World Religious Leaders in Kuala Lumpur on August 28, with the theme “The Role of Religious Leaders in Conflict Resolution.”
The event gathered 400 global faith leaders, including Vatican Cardinal George Koovakad and Archbishop Wojciech Załuski, alongside Christian leaders from Malaysia.
“Coming from different backgrounds, with mutual acceptance and respect, we welcome one another as brothers or sisters of one human family. Let us be bridgebuilders, engaging in respectful dialogue and working for the common good of all,” the letter read.
