DEEPAVALI OPEN HOUSE: Najib (left), Muhyiddin (right) and Palanivel touch the special ‘kolam’ at the Deepavali open house at Batu Caves. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Over 10,000 people from various races and backgrounds attended the Deepavali open house organised by the MIC at Batu Caves, here.
The crowd began coming to the event from 9am and were treated to a sumptuous spread of Indian cuisines as well as other dishes.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who arrived at about 10am, was greeted on arrival by MIC president Datuk G Palanivel and his deputy Datuk Dr S Subramaniam who then ushered him to the main table, to the beating of the drums and the sound of Indian flutes.
Present were Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s special ambassador to India and South Asia Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar as well as several deputy ministers.
Speaking at a live crossover with a local television station, the prime minister said the huge presence of people at the event marked a victory for the transformation effort being carried out by the government.
“The response from the people is tremendous. This showed that the government’s transformation initiative is giving confidence to the people.
“Deepavali for the Hindus is a day where the light triumphs over darkness; so if we support the government transformation programme, it would also mean darkness will be replaced by the light,” he said.
The prime minister said the decision by MIC to hold the open house at Batu Caves was apt because the place was a popular location for people to visit.
“It’s full of merriment. When we choose the right place, more people will be able to come,” he said.
He also wished all Hindus a Happy Deepavali and expressed the hope that they would continue to have confidence in the government.
Najib, who arrived home from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, yesterday morning, later left for the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium in Cheras to fulfil a Deepavali invitation from the Hindu Sangam.
Hindu Sangam president R S Mohan Shan expresed gratitude to Najib and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor for coming to the open house.
“Our open house this year is all the more merrier because of your presence,” he said as he greeted the prime minister and wife.
Najib and Rosmah also visited the Deepavali open house organised by the Malaysian Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Sentul and were greeted on arrival by its president Datuk K K Eswaran.
Muhyiddin and wife were also present at the event.
The prime minister had also attended the Deepavali celebration organised by Tamil newspaper Makkal Osai in Jalan Templer here before going to Batu Caves. — Bernama