Address by the District Grand Master
Annual Communication of the District Grand Lodge of the Eastern Archipelago
Penang, 6th December 2025
Brethren,
Let me begin by welcoming all of you to this Annual Communication of our District, here in Penang.
I would also like to welcome our visitors:
District Grand Lodge of Sri Lanka,
District Grand Lodge of Hong Kong & the Far East,
District Grand Lodge of Madras,
District Grand Lodge of Bombay,
Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire,
Provincial Grand Lodge of South East Asia,
District Grand Lodge of the Middle East,
International District Grand Lodge of Nationale Francaise,
I trust that by now, many of you have settled into the spirit of the weekend. For those who arrived on Thursday, I hope the fellowship began in earnest on the fairways at our golf tournament and continued over the last two evenings. Yesterday was marked by the installations of Neptune Lodge and the Royal Prince of Wales Lodge, both of which were well attended and fitting tributes to the strength and vitality of Freemasonry here in Penang.
This weekend did not organise itself. And so, let me place on record my sincere appreciation to the organising committee, ably led by WBro Benedict Chin as Organising Chairman. The time and effort that go into a weekend such as this are often invisible to most, but the quality of the result speaks volumes. On behalf of the District, thank you for a job well done.
I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate our brethren of the Royal Prince of Wales Lodge on their Sesquicentennial, and I wish the lodge all the happiness and success for the many years to come.
A Time of Transition
Today marks a point of transition. As we welcome new District Rulers, District Grand Officers and Committee Members, we must also say thank you to those whose term of service has come to an end.
To all our retiring Officers and committee members, thank you. Your time, your energy, your commitment has helped keep the wheels of this great institution turning. You have served with honour, and we are grateful.
I wish to pay special tribute to:
• VWBro Jacob Pang, who retires as Deputy District Grand Master,
• WBro Raji Ramason,
• WBro Sivanesan Sivalingam, and
• WBro Neal Avery, all of whom step down as Assistant District Grand Masters.
• WBro Ramesh Rajaratnam who steps down as District Grand Treasurer
• WBro Koh Kia Heong who steps down as District Grand Secretary
Each of you has played a significant role in shaping the direction of this District. Your counsel, your leadership, and your contributions have been of immense value.
At the same time, we now welcome a new cohort of Officers and committee members. Some are familiar faces returning in new capacities; others are younger Brethren stepping up for the first time.
This reflects both continuity and renewal, a necessary balance if the District is to remain strong and dynamic. It brings together experience and fresh energy – senior Brethren with the wisdom to guide, and younger Brethren with the vitality to innovate.
To those who have been appointed, I congratulate you. But more importantly, I remind you that office is not about recognition, nor about title. It is about service. Let us never be seduced by the trappings of office. Let us not forget that leadership in Freemasonry must always be exercised with humility and a sense of duty. The honour lies not in the jewel, but in the work.
To those Brethren who have been promoted to Past Ranks, I extend my sincere congratulations. Past Ranks is far from symbolic alone. It reflects the District’s recognition of your contributions but it also implies a continued responsibility. You may not hold Acting office, but the expectations remain: to support the Lodges, to be visible and engaged, to guide younger Brethren, and to be exemplary in all that you do.
On Our Membership
Now, Brethren, let me turn to matters of progress and concern to us all – our numbers, our future, our purpose.
Based on the latest statistics on Adelphi, at 31st December 2024, our District recorded 1,894 subscribing Craft members. As of 30th November this year, that figure had increased to 1,940. Although I expect the year end number to have some adjustments, this is a modest but meaningful increase, and one which reflects the continued strength of our Lodges throughout the District.
We welcomed 92 new initiates so far this year and I expect this to increase slightly as we close 2025.
Of equal importance is the strength of our Royal Arch Chapters. As of now, 51% of our Craft members are also Companions of the Royal Arch. That’s an encouraging number, and it affirms what we have always said – that the Royal Arch is not a separate journey, but the completion of Pure and Ancient Freemasonry. However, I cannot help but observe that there are still many Master Masons within our District who have yet to take that important next step into the Royal Arch.
Brethren, I urge you to look into it, speak to your Lodge mentors, the Royal Arch Representatives of your respective lodges, or even to any of the Brethren who have joined and discover for yourselves the richness that the Royal Arch brings to your Masonic journey.
Membership Initiatives
Our District Membership Committee has been active and has organised membership events in Kuala Lumpur and, most recently, in Singapore, for potential candidates. They have also hosted several webinars to familiarise lodge membership teams with the principles of UGLE’s Building Together program.
These are part of a larger effort to ensure that our Lodges do not grow stagnant, that we adapt and evolve, and that we remain welcoming and relevant to men of good character in today’s world.
I want to remind Worshipful Masters and Lodge Membership Teams that growth does not happen by accident. The Building Together membership guide issued by UGLE is not a document to be shelved. It is a practical toolkit that should be actively used. Brethren, we can no longer afford to sit back and wait for candidates to knock on our doors.
We must be proactive and intentional in how we attract new members, and just as deliberate in how we retain them. A vibrant Lodge requires energy, planning, and engagement. Complacency is the enemy of progress. If we want our Lodges to thrive then the work must be done.
I also want to draw attention to a new and very important initiative – the Eastern Archipelago’s Keystone Club, launched in June this year. This club is for our young and newly initiated Brethren. Already, it has held several well-attended and well-received events, with more in the pipeline. The idea is simple: to connect the young Brethren across Lodges and jurisdictions. To ensure that their early years in Freemasonry are active and enriching. And to allow them to form friendships not just within their own Lodge, but across the District. I do expect the Committee Members involved in this initiative to work together and plan events across the District and I look forward to them with much anticipation.
On Harmony and Conduct
Brethren, I must speak plainly on a matter close to my heart.
Freemasonry is built on harmony. And harmony is not just a pleasant word in our ritual. It is the very lifeblood of our organisation. Without harmony, there is no brotherhood. Without brotherhood, there is no Freemasonry.
We must look out for one another. We must help one another grow not only as Masons, but as men. As Master Masons, we are taught the Five Points of Fellowship and they must not merely be recited, but lived.
And yet, there have been signs of discord. Whisperings. Assumptions of bad faith. Elections in open Lodge for the Master’s chair that could and should have been avoided by mature and private dialogue. Let me say clearly: divisiveness, toxic politics, and rumour-mongering have no place in this Fraternity. We are not here to undermine one another, but to uphold one another. Anything less is not worthy of our calling as Freemasons.
As we are reminded so eloquently in the Address to the Brethren at every Installation meeting, “we have but one aim in view – to please each other and to unite in the Grand Design of being happy and communicating happiness.” These are not mere ceremonial words. They are a call to action. The true strength of a Lodge lies not in its numbers or its regalia, but in the spirit of harmony that dwells among its members. When we act with kindness, when we give the benefit of the doubt, when we choose brotherly love over pride, we fulfil that Grand Design. It is not about always agreeing, but about disagreeing without malice. Let us each take this to heart not only within the Lodge room, but in all our dealings with one another. For when harmony prevails, happiness follows, and when happiness is shared, the Craft flourishes.
Let us return to the basics. Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. As I mentioned in my address in June – let us lift one another up, not tear each other down.
Charity & Community Engagement
Brethren, I would like to place particular emphasis on our role in charity and community engagement. Our Lodge Charity Stewards are encouraged not merely to raise funds and disburse donations which, while important, only go so far, but to look beyond the ledger. True Masonic charity involves our presence, our time, our hands, and our energy. We must seek opportunities where Brethren can personally engage with the communities we aim to support through outreach programs, volunteering, mentorship, environmental initiatives, or educational support. These acts of service, visible and sincere, create lasting impact, not just for those we help, but for our own members as well. It is easy to sign a cheque; it takes greater commitment to show up, to stand alongside those in need, and to act.
I would also encourage our District Grand Charity Steward to take the lead in this area and to work closely with the Lodge Charity Stewards across the District, to collaborate, brainstorm, and chart a meaningful path forward. Together, let us move from passive giving to active engagement. Let our charity not be silent, but seen; not distant, but deeply felt.
Looking Forward
Looking to the year ahead, I am pleased to inform you that we are working towards the consecration of a several new Lodges in 2026. Two will be in Kuala Lumpur, one of which will be a special interest lodge for legal and finance professionals, and another lodge in Thailand. This is part of our broader vision to extend the reach of Freemasonry within the Eastern Archipelago and to give our members new opportunities for involvement, leadership, and growth.
Several months ago, a special committee was established to undertake a thorough review and update of the Guidelines for Members, under the capable leadership of WBro Raji Ramason. I’m pleased to inform you that the revised document is now in its final stages of preparation and will be published next year. I strongly encourage every Brother to take the time to read through the updated guidelines once they are released, as they serve as an important reference for conduct, expectations, and best practices within the Craft.
While we continue to enjoy the rich fellowship and Masonic activities, the District must also remain mindful of its responsibilities in administration and governance. In the months ahead, we will look into fine-tuning our internal processes to ensure that our operations remain efficient, transparent, and fit for purpose. A well-governed District is a stable foundation upon which the Craft can grow and it is our duty to ensure that this foundation remains sound.
PORTAL
Brethren, I’d like to take a moment to remind everyone about PORTAL, the new membership database system introduced by UGLE. Since it was announced several months ago, only 429 out of 1,940 members in our District have registered to date. I strongly urge all Brethren to complete their registration as soon as possible. To our younger and more tech-savvy members, I encourage you to assist your senior Brethren who may find the process unfamiliar. And if there are any difficulties, please do not hesitate to reach out to the District Grand Secretary for guidance.
Upcoming District Visitations
Brethren, I encourage you to consider joining the District delegation when we visit our sister Districts in the coming months. In January 2026, we will attend the Annual Communication of the District Grand Lodge of Hong Kong & the Far East, followed by the District Grand Lodge of Madras in February, which will be held in Trivandrum. We will also be visiting the District Grand Lodge of Sri Lanka in July.
These visitations are more than ceremonial—they are expressions of unity and fraternal goodwill. They strengthen the bonds between our Districts, offer opportunities for learning and fellowship, and remind us that we are part of a greater Masonic family. I urge as many of you as possible to travel with us, not just as spectators, but as proud representatives of the Eastern Archipelago.
Closing
Brethren, let me close by saying this:
We are the stewards of an ancient tradition, but we are also the architects of its future. The choices we make today, the tone we set, the way we treat each other, all of these will determine what Freemasonry in the Eastern Archipelago will look like in five, ten, twenty years from now.
We must strive to internalise and live out the lessons of our rituals—so that they are not merely words we commit to memory and recite, but principles we embody in thought, word, and deed.
And may the Great Architect of the Universe continue to bless our labours and guide us in our undertakings.
So mote it be.
