By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 12: The Sarawak government cannot promise that there will be a public holiday on the eve of polling day on Nov 18, but will make careful and rational consideration by taking into account the impact on the economy and burden on employers in these uncertain times.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that declaring a normal working day as public holiday meant that employers will have to pay workers double the standard rate of wage to work on a public holiday.
“This will be an added cost on employers and our economy will be affected given the current uncertain economic conditions. I feel that it is unwise (to declare a public holiday on Nov 18).
“(But) We will have to consider first by weighing the two (giving a public holiday and economic impact). I cannot promise but I will consider it rationally,” he told reporters at a doorstep interview after officiating at the Sarawakku Sayang Programme at Lingga, Sri Aman today.
Furthermore, Abang Johari pointed out that declaring too many public holidays will decrease the productivity of Sarawak and employees as well.
“For Sarawak, we need to take all these into consideration, especially on the economy and employer aspects.
“If our economy is strong, then ok lah. But Malaysia and its economy is unstable so we should be saving and spending prudently,” he added.
While he noted that a public holiday should be declared when there really is a genuine need, Abang Johari however did not see there is an urgency for a public holiday to be declared on the eve of the 15th General Election (GE15).
“I believe Sarawakians are not lazy but hardworking people. So let them do their work if they want to,” he said.
Meanwhile, several states in Malaysia including Selangor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan have declared Nov 18 as a public holiday to encourage and enable more Malaysians to return to their respective hometowns and fulfill their responsibility as voters on polling day, which falls on Nov 19.
Minister of Utility and Telecommunications Datuk Julaihi Narawi, former Batang Lupar MP Dato Sri Rohani Abdul Karim, Lingga assemblywoman Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate for P201 Batang Lupar Mohamad Shafizan Kepli were among those present. — DayakDaily
