THOUSANDS thronged the Buddhist Maha Vihara temple in Brickfields tonight and joined the annual Wesak Day float procession, after a three-year lapse due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Devotees and visitors joined the floats from the temple at Jalan Berhala in Kuala Lumpur along a 12km route around the city. 

Brickfields Rukun Tetangga chairman S.K K Naidu said it was wonderful to witness the floats which had traditionally been a draw on the night of Wesak Day in the area for decades.

“We are very glad to see Brickfields become vibrant again with such religious activity. 

“It has been too long and we are glad to see so many people participating in the procession,” he told The Malaysian Insight. 

This evening’s float procession will pass through many roads in the city that are tourist attractions like Jalan Petaling, Jalan Yap Ah Loy, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Pudu. 

About 60 Buddhist societies and associations in Wilayah Persekutuan and Selangor Darul Ehsan have held the procession in Kuala Lumpur for more than 60 years.

Earlier, Transport Minister Anthony Loke applauded the gathering of Buddhists and non-Buddhists for the Wesak candle light float procession. 

“In the year 2019, I launched the Float Procession. Today, I am honoured to be here again to renew its glory. 

“Unity, a word we commonly hear. It is the key for us to live in a peaceful environment. We hope that future generations also can continue to enjoy this peace,” he said.

He later joined the procession. – May 4, 2023.