KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor joined the Indian community to celebrate Deepavali at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) today.

Upon arrival the Chief Minister was greeted by Sabah Indian Chamber of Commerce President Datuk V. Jothi and other dignitaries. Later, Jothi also accompanied Hajiji to light the kuthu vilakku (brass lamp) in conjunction with Deepavali.

The Majlis Ramah Mesra Deepavali attended by more than 1,000 people was jointly- organised by the State Government and Sabah Indian Chamber of Commerce.

During the celebration, two cheques worth RM3,000 each were presented to the Sabah
Society for the Blind and Jireh Home Tuaran from the State Government and Sabah
Indian Chamber of Commerce.

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, Finance Minister
Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister
Datuk Ariffin Arif.-pr/BNN