The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (; 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."
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 (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 Kim PresidentChristian Federation Malaysia (CFM)Sardar Jagir Singh Deputy PresidentMalaysian Gurdwaras Council (MGC)Datuk Mohan Shanmugam Vice PresidentMalaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS)Daozhang Tan Hoe Chieow Vice PresidentFederation of Taoist Associations Malaysia (FTAM)Ven Sing Kan Vice PresidentMalaysia Buddhist Association (MBA)Ms Gowri PS Thangaya Hon Secretary GeneralMalaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS)Rev. Dr. Hermen Shastri Hon Assistant Secretary GeneralCouncil of Churches Malaysia (CCM)Mr. Prematilaka KD Serisena Hon Treasurer GeneralSasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana SocietyMr Tan Mee Tak Hon Assistant Treasurer GeneralFederation of Taoist Associations Malaysia (FTAM)Ms Sally Chee Exco MemberMalaysia Buddhist Association (MBA)Ms Loh Pai Ling Exco MemberBuddhist Missionary Society Malaysia (MBA)Rev Andy Chi Cheng Khee Exco MemberNational Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECW)Mr Tan Kong Beng Exco MemberChristian Federation Malaysia (CFM)Rev Dr Fr Clarance Devadas Exco MemberChristian Federation Malaysia (CFM)Mr Ganesan Thangavellu Exco MemberMalaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS)Mr Balakrishnan Parasuraman Exco MemberMalaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS)Sardar Darshan Singh Exco MemberMalaysian Gurdwaras Council (MGC)Sardar Bhag Singh Sandhu Exco MemberKhalsa Diwan Malaysia (KDM)Sardar Jagjit Singh Exco MemberSikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM)Daozhang Lau Chean Kiat Exco MemberFederation of Taoist Associations Malaysia (FTAM)Mr Teh Hieng Chie Exco MemberFederation of Taoist Associations Malaysia (FTAM)
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."
On 12 May 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."
See also Freedom of religion in Malaysia
References
External links Official website of the MCCBCHST