Malaysia Hindu Sanggam (MHS), the country's main Hindu worship advisory body, today chastised the Terengganu state government for re-allocating Deepavali holidays to extend the Hari Raya Aidilfitri school break.

MHS president RS Mohan Shan said the directive issued by the Terengganu Education Department, was part of growing trend of insensitive behaviour that was cause for worry.

"It is making us ponder, what sort of a future we are heading to as a nation? Is ‘Malaysia Truly Asia’, only empty words to promote tourism? Are we no longer a nation that stood proudly as a melting-pot of races and religions where everyone lives together in peace and harmony?" he asked in a statement today.

Mohan said the directive is also against the spirit of 1Malaysia.

"The department should be aware that Deepavali in Malaysia is not only for Hindus but a multiracial celebration.

"Since the days of independence, all the races have taken part in celebrating together their important festivals such as Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Christmas and Deepavali. 

"It is a part and parcel of Malaysian culture to have open house during these festivals," he said in a statement today.

The Terengganu Education Department had in a circular, which was posted online, given state schools discretionary powers to extend the Hari Raya break, by moving days from the Deepavali break on Nov 11 and 12 to July 22 and 23.

Department director Shafruddin Ali Hussin however rubbished notions that it was removing the Deepavali break altogether, insisting that schools would only be shifting additional days allocated for the break.

Deepavali will be celebrated on Nov 10 this year, and Shafruddin has insisted that schools must maintain Deepavali eve, Nov 9, as a school holiday if they were to shift the extra break on Nov 11 and 12.

Mohan said the move was regrettable and inconsiderate, and demanded the Education Ministry explain why it has allowed this to happen.