KUCHING: Sarawak will look into the implementation of a public holiday for the Deepavali celebration – a request which has been raised by the Indian community over the years.
Premier Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said in fact, he had instructed the Attorney-General to study the other public holiday dates which were gazetted because there was a limit to the public holidays in Sarawak.
“Our gazetted public holiday has already reached its limit (of the entitled quota)… Besides, there are also concerns from some employers about having too many public holidays, where they have to pay double (if they require their employee to work).”
“So, let me look into it. I don’t promise but I will try my best,” he said at the earth breaking ceremony for the extension building at Gurdwara Sahib here today.
It was previously reported that Deepavali was not made as a public holiday in Sarawak due to the small Indian population in the state, about 10,000 people and mostly living in Kuching.
Apart from that, Abang Johari said he would inform the Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah to have a section in the Borneo Culture Museum about the Indian community in Sarawak, particularly on their sacrifices and contributions to the state.
“ Yes, I agreed that it is only fair to include the history of the Sikh as well, as that’s what our (whole) culture is all about, hence, it must exhibit there as well,” he added.
