King, Queen and Prime Minister extend Onam greetings to Malayalee community

By: Patrick Beech

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah were among those who wished the Malayalee community in Malaysia a happy Onam yesterday.

“May this festival bring peace, happiness and prosperity to the Malayalee community in Malaysia,” said Their Majesties in a post via the Istana Negara Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Onam, a harvest festival of the Malayalee community, is celebrated during the first month of the Malayalam calendar called Chingam, which corresponds to the August-September period.

This traditional festival is celebrated by the people of Kerala, in the southern part of India, to welcome a legendary emperor (Bali Chakravarthi or Mahabali) who is believed to bring about a bountiful harvest.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob also extended Onam greetings through a post on Facebook.

He said he hoped the Onam festival will bring prosperity and happiness to everyone in the Malayalee community in the country.

“May the harmony and well-being of the Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) continue to remain strong with the diversity of festivals celebrated in this country,” he said.