Chow (second from left) and Dhinagaran lighting the traditional lamp in conjunction with the Deepavali Open house in Penang. — Courtesy photo
IT was an occasion to behold as former political foes came together during the Penang MIC Deepavali gathering at Tapak Pesta in Sungai Nibong.
Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan leaders along with their party members were seen mingling.
More than 800 people attended the gathering, the first such event since Pakatan Harapan took over the state administration in 2008.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow was the guest of honour, with Penang Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir, DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, MIC vice-president Datuk M. Asogan and MIC secretary general Datuk S. Ananthan in attendance.
Also present were Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan, Bagan Dalam MP K. Kumaran and Senator Dr RA Lingeshwaran, as well as Barisan representatives from the MCA and Umno.
Chow, in his speech, thanked Barisan for being a “pillar of political stability” in both the Federal and state governments over the past two years.
Chow thanked Barisan component parties, including MIC, for their efforts in supporting his Penang administration.
He said there was a need for continued and greater cooperation between Pakatan and Barisan to face future challenges, including the next general election.
During the event, state MIC chief Datuk J. Dhinagaran urged the Penang Hindu Endowment Board to consider installing an escalator for Hindu devotees to go up to the hilltop Waterfall Temple.
“Such a move will provide access for the sick and elderly to visit the temple, as well as boost tourism in the state,” he said.
Dhinagaran and party members surprised Chow with an elaborate flower garland and celebrated his 65th birthday, which fell on Nov 14.
