THE YWCA ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY 2018

SPEECH BY CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG

AT THE YWCA ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY 2018

8 DECEMBER 2018
YWCA PENANG, JALAN MASJID NEGERI

 

Dato’ Dr. Marina David
President of YWCA Malaysia & Penang

Ms Marina Chong
Vice President of YWCA Penang

Mrs Vilasini a/p Shanmugam
Honorary Treasurer of YWCA Penang

Distinguished guests

Member of the media

Ladies and gentlemen

Thank you for the privilege given to me at this annual Christmas Party for the underprivileged children at the YWCA Penang. This year marks the 8th consecutive year that I have attended this Christmas Party.

We are truly blessed to live in a country like Malaysia where we Malaysians though of different faith are bound by a deep friendship from the time we are born. We have the opportunity to enjoy and celebrate the different festivals of the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural population. Be it Hari Raya, Deepavali, Chinese New Year or Christmas, we come together as one big family to celebrate fellowship and to wish one another.

8 years ago, this started off being a Christmas Party only for children, but in recent years, there are also senior citizens joining this event. On enquiry, I was told that they are the other children, so we welcome both the children, and the senior citizens to this joyous time.

The Penang Government has always been supportive and will continue to support programs as such to celebrate the different religions in the country so that we will understand and develop mutual respect and understanding for another.

We as Malaysians should be very proud of the fact that though we live in a multi-cultural country, we not only can celebrate with each other, but we are able to continue to foster this friendship and love very early in life. May we continue to enjoy this privilege of peace and harmony amongst us.

I wish each and every one of you Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays.

Thank you.