Maxis collaborates with Astro in a Deepavali festive charity aimed at uplifting underserved families in the Chetti community
(6th - 9th from left) T. Sithambaram Pillay, Secretary of Melaka Chetti Community, Rajindran Raja Manikam, Head of Production, Indian Customer Business of Astro, YB Tuan Khoo Poay Tiong, Member of Parliament Kota Melaka, and Mazlan Bin Mokhtar, Head of Regional Sales Management - Southern of Maxis together with beneficiaries from Kampung Chetti
Maxis, in collaboration with Astro, recently hosted a Deepavali festive charity event in Kampung Chetti, Melaka for the local Kaum Chetti community, a group of Indian Tamil descent known for its unique blend of Indian and Malay heritage. The event was centred on giving back to the community, with 250 members of the community joining in for the celebration which also highlighted the living heritage of the Chetti Melaka.
Guided by the theme “Together for a Brighter Tomorrow”, the event was graced by Guest of Honour YB Tuan Khoo Poay Tiong, Member of Parliament for Kota Melaka. As part of the festivities, Maxis and Astro contributed 100 packs of essential goods to recipients from lower-income backgrounds. These packs contained necessities such as oil, murukku, sugar, and rice to ease their preparations for the upcoming festive season. As part of its community outreach, Maxis also donated refurbished laptops to empower residents with digital access, along with recreational items such as a ping-pong table and a dart set for communal use.
Focused on uplifting the community, the event was about more than just providing aid. It brought residents together for traditional games such as kite making, bunga rampai shredding and many more. The day also included a local dance performance, culminating in a communal meal where everyone gathered in traditional Malaysian attire. A highlight was the lively banter from Astro’s Raaga radio talents, who hosted the festivities and added joy and warmth to the festival of light. In the spirit of Deepavali, Astro also provided sooka vouchers, giving the community 7 days of free access to all sports and entertainment content on the platform, bringing light, joy, and great content to their celebrations.
“In the upcoming Deepavali celebration, I hope that we as Malaysians see this festival not only as one celebrated by the Indian community, but by all Malaysians. I would like to express my appreciation to Maxis and Astro for organising today’s event. I believe that with support and initiatives like this, we can further strengthen the spirit of unity and the bonds between our communities. I would like to commend the corporate partners for their commitment to the needs of the people in Melaka, especially in Kampung Chetti.” - YB Tuan Khoo Poay Tiong, Member of Parliament for Kota Melaka
“For Maxis, our belief that ‘Tomorrow Begins Today’ means making a real impact in the present. By supporting local communities and honouring traditions with partners like Astro, we are creating positive moments now that we hope will build a brighter, more connected tomorrow for everyone.” - Azizul bin Abdul Rahman, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Maxis
Deepavali is a time to celebrate togetherness, and Astro is honoured to support the Chetti Melaka community not only through festive cheer but also by providing families access to our content during the season. It is our way of sharing the joy and making the celebration even more meaningful.” - Prem Anand, Vice President, Indian Customer Business, Astro
This Deepavali charity continues Maxis’s and Astro’s long-standing tradition of giving back to the community through meaningful engagement during festive seasons. The initiative underscores a shared commitment to supporting communities in need while honouring their unique cultural heritage. The spirit of the season resonated across Kampung Chetti, demonstrating that simple acts of togetherness can create a brighter tomorrow.
Malaysians can also tune in to Astro’s Deepavali song, Ithu Namma Kondattam composed by Santesh and sung by Santesh, Maria Thomas, Pridha, Kay-D, Zaddy, and Shanjanaa Rajendran — available for streaming on Joox, Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, and Deezer. In addition, all Malaysians can enjoy a variety of Deepavali specials on RAAGA radio and its social platforms.
