Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today sent Deepavali greetings to all Malaysian Hindus who will be celebrating the occasion tomorrow.

Dr Mahathir said that the Deepavali which is a ‘festival of lights’ and also a celebration where goodness defeats evil is hoped to give a significant meaning to Hindus in Malaysia this year.

“Based on this sentiment, I wish a Happy Deepavali and hope the celebration this time will give hope to a more meaningful future,” he said.

"Just like all the celebrations feted by other Malaysians. it is shared together by our friends from the other religions in the sense of sharing the happiness felt by our friends of other faiths or races,” he said in his Deepavali message uploaded through the video in his Twitter and Facebook accounts, tonight.
 

Saya mengucapkan Selamat Hari Deepavali dan berharap sambutan kali ini memberi harapan kepada masa depan yang lebih bermakna. pic.twitter.com/Q5tJrXUvLK

— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) November 5, 2018

He said that on Deepavali Day, it was no different although the celebration was for those of the Hindu faith, other Malaysians also enjoyed in the merry-making as it reflected calmness and comfort that could be shared together.

“Such feelings give meaning to the expression of mutual respect and unity in diversity.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo said he hopes the Deepavali's celebration tomorrow will brighten up the people's sense and spirit of nationhood, especially in the era of the Pakatan Harapan-led new government.

In a speech delivered via a short video uploaded on Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) Facebook today, he also urged Malaysians to join in the celebration.

- Bernama