Persiaran Muafakat, a symbol of Johor racial harmony - Exco

In its latest efforts to promote the uniqueness of the state, the Johor government has launched the Culture and Heritage Carnival and Persiaran Muafakat in the city centre.

State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said the Culture and Heritage Carnival as well as Persiaran Muafakat reflected the diverse cultural heritage identity of Johor.

"With a diverse community, Johoreans have very different cultural and traditional values.

"The most obvious example of such harmony is the existence of several places of worship in one site at Persiaran Muafakat Bangsa Johor," he said when opening the Culture and Heritage Carnival as well as the launching of Persiaran Muafakat Bangsa Johor, here, on Saturday.

Tee said Persiaran Muafakat Bangsa Johor was the rebranding of Jalan Trus which has five houses of worship along the street.

The worship centres are Masjid India Dato' Ahmad Awang which was built in the 50's, the 105-year-old Sri Raja Mariamman Temple, the 100-year-old Gudwara Sahib Sikh Temple, a Chinese temple built almost 146 years ago as well as The Vicar Of Immaculate Conception church.

He said Persiaran Muafakat Bangsa Johor was not only an identity of Johor but it is also a symbol of racial harmony in the state.

"The existence of five places of worship at one site showed the strong religious and cultural tolerance and love for the heritage in the pursuit of modernisation," he said.

Also present at the ceremony were Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) mayor A. Rahim Nin and Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) chief executive officer Datuk Ismail Ibrahim. - Bernama