By KUCHING: The state government is looking into making Deepavali a gazetted public holiday in Sarawak, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said he has tasked the State Attorney-General (SAG) to look into the matter, making the festive celebration part of Sarawak’s public holiday.
“We have asked the state AG to look into it because our gazetted public holidays have reached the maximum number.
“We want to find out where we can slot in Deepavali so that we can gazette the day as part of our public holidays,” he said today (July 2).
He was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the extension building of the Sikh Temple at Jalan Masjid here.
His response came after a request from Sarawak Sikh Temple Association president, Dr Kalwinder Singh Khaira who had mentioned it in his speech earlier.
Abang Johari said that the issue had been raised many times in the past, adding: “I don’t promise, but I will try my best.”
Sarawak has roughly a 10,000-strong Indian community in the state. It is the only state in Malaysia where Deepavali is not a public holiday.
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