The ceremony, steeped in Buddhist religious customs and traditions, was held in conjunction with Malaysia's 50th anniversary celebrations this year.

It was marked by chanting of prayers and a blessing session by a group of Buddhist monks from the Theravada Sangha Buddhist Organisation.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, who is also MCA president, and a Buddhist, officiated at the ceremony, also attended by Buddhists and monks from neighbouring Thailand and Nepal.

The government is encouraging multi-racial Malaysians to hold prayers according to their respective religious faiths for a lasting peace, stability and harmony of this blessed nation.