PUTRAJAYA – The government has announced an additional national public holiday in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“If the first of Syawal falls on Friday, April 21, the additional public holiday will fall on Monday, April 24.
“If the first day of Raya falls on Saturday, April 22, the extra public holiday will be on Friday, April 21.”
He said this in a special press conference here today to announce a number of Raya initiatives by the government.
Anwar added that the public holiday announcement is made in line with Section 8 of the Holidays Act 1951 and applies to Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
As for Sabah and Sarawak, the prime minister said the onus is on the state governments to declare a public holiday under their respective ordinances.
Anwar also announced that the government will waive toll fees nationwide between April 19-21 and 24 in conjunction with the festive season.
The Tol Rahmah Percuma initiative will involve 33 highways nationwide, and will apply to all vehicle classifications.
Anwar said the government, in cooperation with selected supermarkets, has also agreed to offer raw goods and basic food items such as chicken and onion at a special discounted rate for businesses that take part in the Menu Rahmah initiative.
“The government truly appreciates the contribution of Menu Rahmah operators who have worked together to ensure our aspiration of reducing the rakyat’s cost of living is achieved.
“At the same time, the government is aware of the cost of production that has to be borne by traders,” he said in explaining the rationale behind the discounted rate.
Separately, Anwar announced an additional allocation of RM250 million to maintain federal roads, on top of the RM750 million that was announced as part of Budget 2023.
He said the additional funds will be allocated specifically for small Bumiputera contractors.
Meanwhile, Anwar said the government is also working together with the Cement and Concrete Association and private developers to offer cement at a cheaper price, for the development of affordable housing.
This initiative, he explained, will only apply on houses that cost RM300,000 and below, with prospective buyers expected to save up to RM5,000 as a result. – The Vibes, April 18, 2023
