KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 — Despite the relatively small Hindu population in Sabah and Sarawak, Deepavali celebrations today brought together people from diverse backgrounds, reflecting a strong spirit of unity.
The Department of Statistics Malaysia estimates that Sarawak has about 5,000 Indians, accounting for 0.2 per cent of its 2.53 million population, while Sabah has around 6,000, or 0.2 per cent of its 3.77 million residents, based on 2026 data.
This year’s celebrations were a different experience for serviceman R. Ruhthiran, 20, as he celebrated the festival away from his family in Klang, Selangor, for the first time.
Stationed in SARAWAK, at Penrissen Camp in Kuching, the second of five siblings said being away from his family was part of the demands of military service.
