KUCHING: Those celebrating Deepavali, especially in Sarawak, are hopeful for the celebration (also known as Diwali) to be gazetted as a public holiday in the state.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday said that he had asked the Attorney-General’s Chambers to study the other public holiday dates which were gazetted because there is a limit to the public holidays in Sarawak.
Thus, New Sarawak Tribune has managed to get some comments from the community on their views on the matter.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Stakan branch secretary Sivanesan Sanmugalingam, has commented that it is no surprise that Abang Johari will be the leader that makes Deepavali a public holiday in Sarawak because he is colour blind and sees only the people in the state as one big family.
“The Hindu community is the smallest in the country and this move by Abang Johari gives dignity and pride to us all.
“I must thank Abang Johari and the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government for being people-centric and inclusive in substance not just in words,” he said.
Meanwhile, Persatuan Pembangunan Insan Sarawak (PPIS) chairlady Manjeet Sidhu said that having Deepavali as a public holiday indeed would be a very good move.
“We have been waiting for this magic to happen years down the road. All others including Wesak Day for the Buddhists have been recognised as a public holiday.
“So, Deepavali as a public holiday here in Sarawak would be wonderful after so many years of appealing to the government,” she said.
Manjeet added that the Sikhs community have continued to contribute substantially, and historically from the time of Brooke’s era, our contribution is very much evident in Sarawak.
Teacher Lalitha Nair also gave a comment saying that a public holiday for the Deepavali celebration is the right decision in Sarawak and it is aligned to the united spirit in the state.
‘’The holiday is important for those who live far from their families as it enables them to celebrate Deepavali with their families without applying for work leaves from their employers,” Lalitha said.
