Credit : Gobind Singh Deo's X
November 2, 2026 – Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo has described Diwali Dhamaka Fest 2026 as proof of the legacy that the Indian community has built in Malaysia, praising the hard-working entrepreneurs and lively stalls that made up the festival.
Gobind shared on X today that the festival showed something remarkable, bringing together determined entrepreneurs, vibrant stalls and an extraordinary spirit that he said forms the backbone of the local community’s prosperity.
“Diwali Dhamaka Fest 2026 is proof of the legacy that has been built by the Indian community in our country,” he wrote in Malay. He added that he hoped Malaysians would keep moving forward together, in line with the national aspiration of becoming an AI nation by 2030.
The post, tagged #AINation, #Diwali, #Deepavali and #MalaysiaMADANI, was accompanied by a series of photographs from the event, including one of Gobind lighting a traditional oil lamp, a group photograph on stage in front of the festival’s official launch backdrop, and scenes of him meeting traders and visitors at the stalls.
Gobind launched the festival at Jaya Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya on November 1, 2026, Bernama reported. In his launch speech, he said Malaysia’s racial, cultural and religious diversity must be harnessed as a strength to drive national success and build an inclusive society.
He said the country’s success was underpinned by the ability of its people, regardless of background, to put national interests first and share responsibility for the nation’s development, a quality he said had also attracted international attention. “But in Malaysia, it really is about how all of us can look towards solutions, appreciating that the diversity that we have is actually our strength,” he said.
According to Bernama, Gobind said the festival’s showcase of different cultures, religious beliefs, food and traditional attire reflected the multicultural character of Malaysian society. He also commended the entrepreneurs whose crafts, food and clothing contributed to the event, and expressed hope that the festival would become an annual affair.
Also present at the launch were India’s Deputy High Commissioner to Malaysia, Hitesh Rajpal, and Tourism Malaysia director-general Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim. Hitesh said the Indian diaspora served as an important bridge between Malaysia and India, with cultural celebrations such as Deepavali helping to foster closer bilateral ties and mutual understanding.
He added that the High Commission of India remained committed to engaging with the Indian community in Malaysia through community programmes, cultural activities and initiatives involving youths and students.
Diwali Dhamaka Fest 2026 ran from October 30 to November 1, 2026, and was organised by GSR Events in collaboration with the radio station Sama Sama Oye!, featuring North Indian heritage, textiles, food and cultural performances. Gobind’s message on X linked the festive celebration to the government’s wider push to prepare Malaysians for an AI-driven economy.
The festival was one of several Deepavali events the Digital Minister has attended in recent days. LNA reported earlier that Gobind urged traders to embrace artificial intelligence at the 24th Deepavali Carnival, and that he joined 99 Speedmart in handing out 800 Deepavali food bags as that programme entered its fourth year.
Credit : Gobind Singh Deo’s X
About The Author
