It is time to bid goodbye to the auspicious snake and greet the steed. To many people, 2013 was a year charged with high emotions on many fronts – there was the General Election which was probably the most intense since independence, certain Government policies that got to the nerves of many, and the upward trend of prices for many goods and services. However, the most compelling issue in 2013 was religious in nature which resulted in disharmony between different religions and different races in the country.
The purpose of religion is to provide acalming effect on human emotions, and to open our hearts to the beauty of humanity.History has shown that religions have deeplyenriched human culture, enhanced social harmony, and led to progress and development for many nations. Unfortunately, religions have also been abused by politicians to suit their own personal agenda, resulting in disharmony and conflict. It is pertinent therefore that the Government should step in immediately whenever such religious conflictwere to arise again in the future. It is also important for true practitioners of religion not to further stoke the fires of religious extremism created deliberately by such ill-meaning politicians. Instead they should remind themselves of the true message of kindness and peace propounded by their religions and to propagate this positive message whenever religion is being abused by the extremists. Instead of confrontation, they should support conciliation and dialogue.
For Malaysians of different religious persuasions, the solution to peace and harmony is greater understanding and mutual respect through communication among one another. This is even more necessary among politicians of both political divide. They have to consider themselves as statesmen whose main objective is the welfare and well-being of the people who have supported and voted them into office.
Faith is the cornerstone of all religions for with faith, it helps one to be calm in difficult situations. As such, if our politicians truly have faith in the teachings of their religions, they would display greater positive emotions such as self-control, tolerance, understanding and mutual respect. This is my hope and prayer for all our politicians in Malaysia. And let me wish all Malaysians a prosperous Horse year with full Horse-power to achieve our personal goals and national harmony in 2014.
马佛青总会长吴青松甲午年新年贺词
挥别灵蛇，迎来了骏马。过去一年对于很多人的感受而言是甜酸杂陈，国家经历了独立后最激烈的大选，政府的一些政策也牵动人民神经，百物酝酿上涨。除此以外，最引人瞩目的应该是宗教议题三番四次的被挑起，引发了宗教间的不和谐，甚至种族间的对立。
宗教的存在，在于安定人心，发现人性的真善美。回顾历史，宗教的流传也丰富了人类文明的内涵，及促进国家发展与社会和谐。然而很不幸的，国家还是有很多不负责任的政客假借宗教之名，玩弄宗教议题，造成社会脱序。对于这种现象，政府应该及时制止，并予以严惩；而做为负责任的宗教信仰者，则不应该随着外在的乱象起舞，时时提醒自己回归宗教的教导，以慈心化解愤怒，以对话取代对峙。
民间需要通过对话来促进谅解，朝野政党也需要通过对话来化解分歧。寄望朝野可以力争在马年加速进行对话，尤其在一些关系人民福祉的议题上尽快达成共识。
信仰的力量可以让人处变不惊，庄敬自强。政治人物如果有宗教的信仰，则能克己尊礼，安守本分。迎来春节，祝福各界马年大吉，马力全开。
