Sarawak declares Nov 18 and 19 public holidays

KUCHING: The Sarawak Premier’s Office has announced the public holiday on Nov 18 for the 15th General Election (GE15) will be extended to Nov 19 to facilitate voters in the state to cast their ballots.

It said this in a statement issued yesterday a er Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had earlier announced that only Nov 18 would be a public holiday for the polls.

Polling for GE15 is this Saturday, Nov 19.

During a function in Tanjung Manis, Abang Johari said the public holiday would give the people the opportunity to go back to their hometowns to vote.

“A er discussing with the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) yesterday (Nov 14) in Selangau, the Prime Minister announced a public holiday, especially on Nov 18, so that the voters could go home and vote.

“Then a er voting, they will go back on Sunday. So, I said if this is his decision, then Sarawak will also announce a public holiday on Nov 18. Only Nov 18,” he told a press conference.

On Monday, Ismail Sabri announced that Nov 18 and 19 would be public holidays.

He said Nov 19 was also declared a public holiday as there may be some companies from the private sector, especially factories, that would be operating on that day, thus making it difficult for their employees to cast their votes.