Digital Minister Gobind Singh pointed out that in this era where everyone has a mobile device, the use of digital technology is rapidly changing the way people do things, and smartphones have become an essential tool for accessing daily information.
He stated that these digital devices also provide us with great opportunities to continually learn and improve.
“We should learn to make good use of digital technology. Nowadays, we all use smartphones to interact and communicate. In many aspects of life, we rely on smartphones to perform our daily tasks, whether it is studying or doing business, we depend on information technology.”
Gobind Singh, who is also the Member of Parliament for Damansara from the Democratic Action Party, said this during his speech at the Lunar New Year lighting ceremony organized by Taman Desa Buddhist Society last night (26th).
He noted that in this age of information explosion, the convenient internet platforms offer us many things to learn, such as learning about Buddhism, understanding what Chinese New Year is, or learning about the different cultures among various ethnic groups. Therefore, it is important for every Malaysian to recognize that our country is strong mainly because we are a nation with a diverse social structure.
He said that Malaysia has become strong because all its ethnic groups can accept different cultures and live together harmoniously.
Gobind Singh stated that we must always remember that the path to success for a country depends on us.
“Whatever type of Malaysian society we want to build in the next 20 or 30 years is completely up to us to decide. Therefore, we have to make decisions today on how to educate our next generation, and what kind of environment we want to provide our children and their next generation to grow up in; so today, we must continue to do the necessary work, especially concerning community work for everyone.”
Furthermore, the Minister praised Taman Desa Buddhist Society President Pan Wenjun for organizing events during each Chinese New Year and other important Buddhist festivals to give back to the society and enhance the younger generation's awareness of traditional culture.
“The president told me that each Chinese New Year event attracts at least 8,000 participants, reflecting how vibrant community organizations are.”
Earlier, Pan Wenjun mentioned in his speech that the society expects this year’s Chinese New Year activities from the first to the fifteenth day of the lunar new year to attract at least 8,000 to 9,000 visitors.
“We will provide free vegetarian lunches to devotees at the lodge from noon to 2 PM on the first day of the new year, and everyone is welcome to come and participate and take photos with the giant golden snake.”
He said that the model of the golden snake is 40 feet long and 10 feet high, created by the society's float team, and its appearance and expression are vividly crafted.
He also mentioned that this is the first time Gobind Singh, since being appointed as minister in December 2023, has personally attended the Taman Desa Buddhist Society's Chinese New Year event, which has delighted the society's members.
Last week, Gobind Singh went to Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF), and last night was his first event after returning to the country.
Meanwhile, Datuk Dharmaratananda, the first Abbot of the Malaysian Theravada Buddhist Mission, in his speech, also urged every Malaysian elder, regardless of ethnic group, to remind and educate the younger generation not to be overly engrossed in technology and forget their traditional culture or the admonitions of their ancestors, and to organize more activities that promote harmony and unity among all ethnic groups, creating a peaceful, joyful, and harmonious multicultural society.
Other guests who attended the lighting ceremony included Petaling Jaya City Councilor Leong Kee Jin and Malaysian Buddhist Society Association Deputy Secretary-General Tan Zhao Rong.