Syerleena earns praises for celebrating with Buddhists
GEORGE TOWN: Seri Delima assemblyman Syerleena Abdul Rashid has many Buddhist friends and is not a stranger to Wesak Day celebrations.
She was showered with praises on social media after a picture of her addressing devotees at the premises of Island Glades Buddhist Association went viral.
“It’s my first time attending the Wesak Eve celebrations here as the Seri Delima assemblyman but not my first in honouring this occasion.
“I have lots of Buddhist friends and my family has always encouraged me to mingle with them.
“Being a Muslim and attending celebrations of other races were never an issue.
“There is nothing wrong in joining such celebrations to show solidarity and respect for others,” she said when contacted by The Star yesterday.
Syerleena said both she and Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh were invited to attend the celebration by the Island Glades Village Security and Development Committee on Monday.
“The association has been there for quite a number of years and the late Karpal Singh frequented the association when he was an MP,” she said.
Syerleena said religious affairs had always been a sensitive issue.
“I hope the Pakatan Harapan government will erase whatever negative perception our society has when it comes to religious matters.
“As a Pakatan representative, I will do my best to foster greater interfaith ties with one another,” she said.
Syerleena was praised on social media from delighted Malaysians for “thinking out of the box” and setting a good example.
A Facebook user, known as Steve YH Tan, thanked her for leading the way back to religious harmony and understanding, while another user known as IR Andy Ramasamy said Malaysians need leaders like her.