Government will ensure cultures of minorities preserved

The government will ensure that the cultures of the minority communities are preserved so that they remain a part of the national heritage, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

Unless efforts were made to preserve these cultures, they would be drowned in the cultures of the majority communities, he told reporters after launching the Kelantan-level 'Loy Krathong' Thai festival at the Uttamaram Temple here last night.

The temple hosted various Thai cultural activities which attracted more than 5,000 people.

Mohamed Nazri said Loy Krathong had been recognised by the government and included in the Malaysian tourism calendar.

"We hope that with the support of the government, the festival will continue to be an event at this temple and become an attraction for tourists coming to Kelantan," he added.

Loy Krathong is a colourful festival symbolising prosperity.

The word 'Loy' means to float while 'Krathong' means lotus-shaped vessel made of banana leaves. The Krathong usually contains a candle, joss stick, some flowers and coins.

According to Siamese tradition, floating a candle raft is symbolic of releasing sins and bad luck to start the coming year with fresh hope and good luck.