PETALING JAYA: Deepavali is shining a little brighter this year, with festive cheer boosted by new government aid and transport discounts that are helping Malaysians stretch their ringgit further for the festival of lights.
Maithilli Devi Nermala Devi, 23, a nursing student in Kedah, cannot wait to return to her hometown in Penang for the celebration, made easier thanks to the latest government assistance.
“Usually, when I travel home, I spend around RM75 for petrol and toll. With Budi95 and the 50% toll discount, I can save quite a bit,” she said.
Maithilli added that the RM100 one-off Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) aid also helped her family stock up on baking essentials.
“It came just in time for us to buy sugar, flour and eggs for our Deepavali cookies. Preparations started two weeks before Deepavali.
“We’ve already started cleaning the house, changing the curtains and making murukku and achi murukku,” she said.
In Melaka, retiree Jeevakumari KE Rajuloo, 64, is heading to Puchong to celebrate Deepavali with her brother.
“The RM100 Sara aid helped me buy ingredients for cookies, and with the 50% toll discount, we’ll spend less than RM20. Not to mention the subsidised petrol that will also reduce our travel costs,” she said.
Another celebrant, who wished to be known as Veni, 30, said the government’s assistance helped her family manage festive costs more comfortably.
“With the RM100 aid, I managed to buy cooking oil, flour and milk powder.
“Travelling to Ipoh will also be cheaper. I’ll save around RM25 on tolls,” said the media executive.
Meanwhile, the festive cheer is spilling over into the tourism sector as well.
Malaysian Tourism Federation president Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel said hotels nationwide are seeing a spike in bookings from both Deepavali celebrants and other holidaymakers taking advantage of the long weekend.
“We’re expecting a noticeable increase in hotel occupancy, typically between 70% and 80%, with popular destinations nearing full capacity,” he said.
“These days, even those returning to their hometowns sometimes book hotel rooms.”
He added that last-minute bookings could push occupancy rates even higher as the weekend approaches.
Malaysian Association of Hotels president Datin Christina Toh said the surge in demand is also linked to the upcoming Asean Summit, in addition to the Deepavali holidays.
With the transport discounts announced by the government, she said hotels and resorts in Penang and Langkawi are expected to be packed.
Ganesh said that destinations such as Melaka, Port Dickson, Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands, Ipoh and Kota Kinabalu are also seeing stronger demand, especially from domestic travellers.
“Urban areas like Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru are experiencing strong pick-up from inter-state travellers combining family visits with short getaways,” he said.
