MELAKA: The new normal will still apply for this year's Deepavali celebration despite the state advancing into Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (NRP), says caretaker Melaka chief minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali (pic).

       Sulaiman added that the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the festival of lights would be the same as last year.

       "The decision on the Deepavali SOPs was reached during the National Covid-19 committee meeting that was chaired by the Prime Minister on Friday (Oct 22)," he said on Saturday (Oct 23).

       Hence, Sulaiman said the festival, which will be on Nov 4 this year, would be celebrated on a moderate scale.

       Sulaiman said the caretaker state government would continue to render assistance to the underprivileged during Deepavali season.