4th SGM Headquarters Leaders Conference (Part 2)
25th Anniversary of President Ikeda’s Second Visit to Malaysia

The 4th SGM Headquarters Leaders Conference was held from 28 to 30 November 2025 at the SGM Culture Centre. A total of 1,024 region-level and above leaders from across the country attended the meaningful three-day, two-night meeting.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of President Ikeda’s second visit to Malaysia, the meeting featured two special segments – “Mentor and I” and “I Seek Sensei.” These sessions invited many speakers to share their prime point with President Ikeda and their vow as his disciples. Participants also retraced the route President Ikeda took during his visit to the centre.

Mentor and I: Inheriting the Baton of Kosen-rufu

This segment opened with a video recounting Sensei’s visit to Malaysia in 2000, followed by group sharings by six representatives. 

The first group of three representatives who met President Ikeda during his visit shared their unforgettable memories. Yap Hin Loong, who was appointed at the last minute as emcee for a major meeting, recalled feeling his meticulous care and compassion for each person, embodying the spirit of leaving no one behind. Ng Chiah Yee shared how President Ikeda remained standing throughout the honorary doctorate conferment ceremony at Universiti Putra Malaysia, which engraved in her heart the mission to repay her mentor’s compassion through concrete achievements. 

Despite being very young then, Chong Yen Yee, who had a photo taken with President Ikeda, spoke about how her experiences at Tadika Seri Soka nurtured the values of hope, courage and friendship. 

The second group comprised youths who forged profound heart-to-heart connections with President Ikeda, though they have never met him. Ray Ong Kaa Rui from the high school division grew up as someone nurtured by his family and SGM. A winner of national-level Malay public-speaking competitions, he also actively participates in The New Human Generation morning sharing. 

Ng Yin Xuen from the student division established her prime point at the division’s 2023 training course. To overcome her lack of courage, she resolved to chant consistently and strengthen her Buddhist study. Young women’s division member Chong Li Yan spoke about completing her master’s thesis in 2023 and presenting a victory report to President Ikeda. Inspired by President Ikeda’s guidance about education being his final undertaking, she aims to pursue a doctorate in education within two years. 

Mentor and I: Walking the Path of Mentor and Disciple to the Very End

This session invited four seniors in faith to share the prime point of their faith and how they practised the mentor-disciple spirit. 

SGM vice-general director Chang Meng Keng shared how his family began practising through the encouragement of seniors. When his younger sister was diagnosed with acute leukaemia, he deeply felt the importance of never giving up, no matter the adversity, and to continue advancing with hope and courage. 

Region Many Treasures leader Sheow Gee Eng from Melaka encountered Nichiren Buddhism during a period of uncertainty after graduating from university. She immersed herself in fostering youth in the high school and student divisions, vowing to follow President Ikeda and the organisation throughout her life.

Yip Siew Har from Kuala Lumpur, also a region Many Treasures leader, joined SGM through a culture festival. Through studying the Gosho and President Ikeda’s guidance, she came to the realisation that walking on the path of mentor and disciple is her goal in life. Vice-general director Pang Chok Wai served as a security staff during President Ikeda’s 1988 visit to Malaysia. Through faithfully following President Ikeda’s guidance to protect the central figure, he overcame numerous difficulties and has stood valiantly on the frontlines. 

In discussing the transmission of faith, all four speakers emphasised the power of leading by example. They encouraged participants to support their families through faith, and be role models for their children through never regressing in faith, and to continue fostering youth and promote the growth of the organisation. They concluded with their shared vow towards 2030: to uphold the mentor’s spirit and continue striving, regardless of their position or age.

Mentor and I:  Conclusion

The two sessions saw multi-generational participants. In concluding, SGM men’s division leader Looi Chee Choong stressed that the spiritual bond between mentor and disciple is the driving force for the eternal expansion of kosen-rufu, a bond that transcends time and space. 

He reminded the participants that the flame of the mentor–disciple spirit now rests in the hands of the disciples, encouraging participants to embody the mentor’s spirit, vision and actions. He called on all leaders to advance towards the 2030 centennial of the Soka Gakkai and manifest proof of the mentor’s teachings in their families, communities and the organisation.

The session concluded with enthusiastic applause and renewed determination to open a new chapter of kosen-rufu in Malaysia.

I Seek Sensei: Tracing the Mentor’s Footsteps

In conjunction with the 25th anniversary of President Ikeda’s second visit to Malaysia, the student division prepared the “I Seek Sensei: Tracing the Mentor’s Footsteps” segment, which took participants on a meaningful trek tracing the route President Ikeda took during his visits to the SGM Culture Centre in 1988 and 2000. 

There were five stations:

• The Ikeda Peace Auditorium (IPA), where commemorative meetings were held
• The tree-planting site in front of the IPA
• The “Courage” walkway where President Ikeda performed stretching exercises
• The Ikeda Kinenkan, where commemorative photos were taken
• Tadika Seri Soka

Participants also collected stamps at each station, took photos and connected with the mentor through the physical objects.

Jointly reported by Goh Lim Erng and Eng Joo Min, photographed by Lum Heng and Jeffery Lum