Najib repeats govt commitment to integrate Indian community into mainstream

In his Deepavali message, the prime minister said the government had also lined up various empowerment programmes in the national development agenda through the Indian Community Socioeconomic Blueprint, which is expected to be launched next year.

"May the Festival of Light brings the light of happiness and harmony to all Malaysians. In conjunction with Deepavali celebration this year, let us strengthen our existing good relations and mutual understandings.

"I still remember the Deepavali celebration I had when I was small. Along with my mother and father, we visited the houses of our Hindu friends and enjoyed the delicious Indian food, such as thosai, chapati and marukku," he said in his blog NajibRazak.com today.

Hindu devotees around the world will celebrate Deepavali on Oct 29.

Najib explained that while the spirit of Deepavali reflects the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness.

At the same time, he said the spirit also reflected Malaysia's journey as a multi-racial country in braving through all the challenges so that the people would be able to enjoy peace and harmony.