Council of Churches of Malaysia National Day Message

The Executive Committee and the Heads of the member churches of the Council of Churches of Malaysia greet their fellow citizens on the occasion of the 49th Anniversary of Merdeka.

Celebrating the National Day every year brings all Malaysians together day in a spirit of joy as a nation. It helps also to instill in our hearts a sense of thanksgiving to God for his blessings of peace and prosperity upon our nation.

Christians in churches throughout the country will be committing the well-being of the nation to God by offering special prayers of thanksgiving.

Our nation would not have become what it is today, if not for the commitment and loyalty of all Malaysians to work for the common good. The political stability and economic progress we have achieved thus far is due to the hard work and great sacrifices of Malaysians from all ethnic communities.

Under the able leadership of our Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the country continues to make new strides towards maturity as a nation.

As loyal citizens, we must ask ourselves how we can continue to contribute to peace and harmony in a multi-racial and multi-religious country.

At the same time the government should also seriously view how its policies and actions are helping to create an environment for all Malaysians to grow together as one nation, while respecting the rich diversity of our people.

To keep Merdeka meaningful, we should all work together to correct the wrongs in our society.

Today we are challenged by a deteriorating spirit of intolerance, restriction of people’s freedom, rampant corruption, unacceptably high crime rate, an indifferent civil service and an alarming deterioration of social and moral values. It is time we take some bold measures to ensure Malaysia remains a vibrant and progressive nation. 

As churches we call our faithful to join forces with all Malaysians to work for freedom, justice, and peace, all of which are central to the Christian faith.

May Almighty God continue to richly bless, protect, and direct our nation in the path of peace and prosperity in the years to come.

“Depart from evil, and do good; so you shall abide forever.
For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his faithful ones.” (Ps. 37:37-38)