PM wishes M’sian Hindus Happy Deepavali

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday sent Deepavali greetings to all Malaysian Hindus who will be celebrating the occasion today.

“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, last night.

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 gave meaning to the expression of mutual respect and unity in diversity.

“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.

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 the Hindus in Malaysia this year. - Bernama

Govt agrees to one-day unrecorded leave for Hindu staff

PUTRAJAYA: The government yesterday agreed to let Hindu civil servants take one-day unrecorded leave – on the day after Deepavali.

Public Service director-general Datuk Seri Borhan Dollah said in a circular that the move, effective this year, would give them a chance to celebrate the festival with their families.

“It’s great to announce that the government has agreed to let our Hindu civil servants take one-day unrecorded leave for Deepavali, that is the day after the festival in addition to the normal public holiday,” he said. - Bernama