KCGCCI to follow state government directive on public holiday

KUCHING: Kuching Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( KCGCCI) has decided to follow the directive of Sarawak Barisan Nasional ( BN) government to have May 17 and 18 off.

Its secretary general Jonathan Chai said the chamber would adhere to the decision of the state government that yesterday and today were normal working days.

According to him, the chamber issued a statement prior to the state government’s announcement on the special public holidays next week.

Given the special public holiday order by the state government, the chamber had retracted its earlier statement and decided to follow the state government’s order.

Chai said there was confusion for the private sector in the beginning since the state government made the announcement at the eleventh hour.

“Some of them have already gone to work but some were still at home. How do you expect them to go home or go to work at this hour,” he said when contacted before 10am yesterday.

Chai said the chamber understood that the state government had the prerogative not to follow the directive on public holiday for yesterday and today issued by the Chief Secretary to the Government.

He said most Sarawakians would appreciate it if the state government announced its decision early rather than at the last minute.

“Being Sarawakians, we shall have to follow the order of the state government for it has the prerogative to do so ( declare different public holidays),” he added.

Even though Sarawak has its own public holiday list, KCGCCI members and the corporate sector do not necessarily follow the list.

According to the chamber’s website, KCGCCI’s public holiday list for 2018 does not include Hari Raya Haji and Awal Muharam.