MALAYSIA is saddled with a large number of public holidays. Many complain about too many days off and less working days which affect the country’s economic productivity.

Presently, uncertainty has been raised as to whether Sept 16 on which two national holidays fall - Malaysia Day and Maulidur Rasul (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday) - will result in the following day (Sept 17) being declared a holiday.

This is an unusual occurrence. Once in about 30 years, the Chinese New Year (CNY) and Hari Raya holidays overlap within a week, hence resulting in extended holidays and a celebration of the two festivals commonly known as Kongsi Raya.

When both festivities ‘clash’, the nation comes to a standstill with hardly any economic activity for a week. The whole country would be in a festive and joyous mood.

Malaysians are used to celebrating both the CNY and Hari Raya Puasa which are deemed unique feature of the nation’s diversity.

There have also been years when Hari Raya and Christmas or Hari Raya and Deepavali fall close in the same week, hence resulting in similar celebrations.

Such ‘collisions’ occur roughly every 30 years due to the Islamic calendar year being shorter by 11- 12 days as compared to the Gregorian calendar year. The Islamic calendar has only 354/355 days per year as compared to the usual 365/366 days of the Western calendar year.

The government has to clear the uncertainty and confusion quickly since both the Malaysia Day and Maulidur Rasul public holidays are overlapping this year,

Usually if a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the following day (Monday) will be a holiday. However, this time around, both public holidays fall on the same date (not a Sunday but Monday), thus the public cannot rely on any precedent.

The government needs to state whether Sept 17 will also be a public holiday or otherwise. As many people are already looking forward to an extended holiday, a government statement will help in this regard.

There could be many gains and benefits for the domestic tourism if there is a long, extended holiday. People can make plans ahead.

Both the public sector and the larger private firms honour all these public holidays but the same cannot be said about the smaller SMEs and business concerns, resulting in their employees being unable to plan ahead whether to balik kampung or go sightseeing around the country.

An extended holiday of four days from Saturday (Sept 14) to Tuesday (Sept 17) will be a boost for local tourism, holding functions and events, visiting relatives and friends or even to go shopping.

An official announcement on this matter by the government is eagerly awaited to clear the uncertainty. - Sept 12, 2024

V. Thomas
Sungai Buloh 

https://focusmalaysia.my/confusion-over-double-public-holidays-on-sept-16-will-sept-17-be-an-additional-paid-holiday/