PENANG MULLING SEPT 16 HOLIDAY, MOST LIKELY FROM NEXT YEAR

PENANG (Malaysia), Sept 2 (Bernama) -- The Penang People's Alliance (Pakatan Rakyat) (PR) government is considering declaring a public holiday for Malaysia Day on Sept 16, but most likely from next year.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has welcomed a proposal for the five PR-led
states of Kedah, Penang, Perak (northern states), Selangor (central state ) and
Kelantan (north east of Peninsular Malaysia) to declare the public
holiday.

"It is good suggestion, but we (Penang) have just declared a public holiday
on Aug 26, the polling day for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election," he
told reporters after officiating at a talk on the positive values of food
effluent enzymes at the Tanjung Bungah market, here.

Lim said the matter would be discussed at a meeting of the state executive
council because the decision would have an impact on the operations of
industries in the state.

The proposal to have a public holiday on Sept 16 in the five PR-led states
was made by People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) (PKR) advisor Anwar
Ibrahim at a thanksgiving reception following his victory in the Permatang Pauh
by-election.


"If we want to declare Sept 16 a public holiday, it may be next year," Lim
said, adding that the federal government should declare Sept 16 a public
holiday.

Lim said he agreed with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which wanted
to conduct an experiment on food effluent enzymes at the refuse disposal site in
Pulau Burung.

He said the enzymes could clean up the areas and rivers polluted by
effluents from houses, factories and business premises.

The enzymes, derived from effluents such as the peel of fruits, could
detoxify pollutants in water, he said, adding that the finding could help
safeguard the ecosystem and help in environmental conservation.