KUCHING: The Sarawak government is considering whether to follow the federal government’s decision to declare an additional public holiday in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said he has yet to make a decision.
“Wait, I will announce later, I am still thinking about it,” he said when met by reporters after attending a breaking-of-fast event organised by the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation for the children of Kompleks Kebajikan Laila Taib (PERYATIM) at a hotel here, tonight (April 18).
Earlier in Putrajaya, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that if Haru Raya falls on Friday (April 21), the government would fix Monday (April 24), as the additional public holiday under Section 8 of the Holidays Act 1951 for Malaya and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
If Raya falls on Saturday (April 22), then Friday (April 21) will be the additional public holiday.
“For Sabah and Sarawak, the state governments can declare the public holiday on the relevant date in accordance with their respective Public Holiday Ordinance,” he said.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, meanwhile, announced that it would follow the federal government in declaring April 21 as an additional public holiday for the state.
The official announcement on the date for celebrating Hari Raya will be made on Thursday, April 20, by the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal.
