KUALA LUMPUR – Unimpressed by the single public holiday granted for Deepavali, R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH) is calling for a two-day national holiday for those celebrating the festival.
Raising the issue in Parliament, the DAP lawmaker urged Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan (Tapah-BN) to give consideration on the matter.
“I understand that when M. Kula Segaran (Ipoh Barat-PH) was the minister, there were proposals for festivals like Deepavali to be similarly given at least two days of compulsory holiday to workers.
“We will be celebrating Deepavali next week, so I’m taking this opportunity to appeal to the minister, who is from MIC, to give attention to this issue.”
Rayer said this when interjecting Kula Segaran during the debate on the bill to amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994.
On a similar note, Rayer urged Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun to also consider granting an additional day off to all MPs on Wednesday next week for Deepavali, which falls on Thursday.
“We want to balik kampung to celebrate. Last year, we were not able to celebrate, so I hope the matter can be considered.
“Out there, many people are complaining why each year, only a single day off is given.”
In response, Azhar said he had already decided to end next Wednesday’s proceedings earlier than usual.
Meanwhile, Kula Segaran said he is confident Saravanan will agree with the proposal to increase the number of paid holidays for Deepavali.
“He certainly won’t object, more so with the election so close. He will need the support of everyone.”
Presently, only Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Chinese New Year are given two days of public holiday in the country. – The Vibes, October 27, 2021
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