KUCHING: There will be an anti-nuclear exhibition at CityOne Megamall here, from Aug 6 to 9.
The event, organised by Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) in collaboration with Soka Gakkai International and International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), is themed ‘Everything You Treasure – For A World Free From Nuclear Weapons’. It is open to the public from 10am to 10pm daily.
Deputy Home Affairs Minister Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar is expected to officiate at the opening on Aug 6.
According to SGM Sarawak honorary secretary Tay Thing Swee, the exhibition here will mark the first stop of its nationwide tour, with Kuala Lumpur to host the next leg on Aug 9.
“The exhibition aims to create awareness of peace in society. We hope that this exhibition will bring about a renewed sense of personal responsibility for the future of our beautiful planet. It is hoped that its beautiful message would be implanted in everyone’s heart.
“We have even received the approval from the state Education Department to allow students to view the exhibition. So far, we have extended the invitation to 43 schools,” he said during a press conference at SGM Sarawak’s headquarters yesterday.
Tay added that the exhibition dates would also coincide with the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, which led to the end of the Second World War.
He pointed out that even though the Cold War era and the threat of a possible all-out nuclear war were over, it remained crucial for society to understand the true nature of nuclear weapons.
“There are 27,000 nuclear warheads remaining, with 12,000 still operational and 5,000 with high-alert status. As long as nuclear weapons exist, catastrophe awaits.
“Today the risks of nuclear war come from three major security challenges: existing nuclear weapons, the spread of nuclear weapons and civilian nuclear facilities that may be hiding clandestine nuclear weapons programme,” he said.
Tay noted that the only salvation from extinction would be to make choices that could ensure the realisation of a peaceful world.
“Although a small nation, Malaysia has taken a strong stand in condemning nuclear weapons, and also in advocating disarmament and abolition of nuclear weapons. The government could do more in educating young Malaysians about the growing new nuclear dangers, as well as in encouraging debates and participation in regional and global meetings,” he opined.
The upcoming exhibition consists of three sections, with a total of 68 panels. In the first section, viewers are invited to reflect on what is most important to them and the need to protect this from nuclear weapons. In the second section, they will get to understand what nuclear weapons are from 12 perspectives, namely humanitarian, environmental, medical, economic, human rights, energy, scientific, political, spiritual, gender, generational and security aspects.
In the last section, viewers will be taken through the panels that highlight disarmament achievements and the realisation of a ‘Nuclear Weapons Convention’. They will also be invited to share their personal commitment in terms of the action for the future they want.
The exhibition will be conducted in both English and Mandarin. A target crowd of 10,000 is expected over the four days.
Tay attended the press conference yesterday with SGM Sarawak chairman Tan Chai Hong and other committee members.
For more information about the exhibiton, contact 082-332033 or email to [email protected]. Alternately, visit www.sgm.org.my/eyt.