MALAYSIA: EAST COAST STATE DECLARES TUESDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY

KOTA BAHARU (Malaysia), July 13 (Bernama) -- Kelantan, an east coast state
in Peninsular Malaysia, has declared Tuesday public holiday for all state
government staff and federal government employees working in the state.

Chief Minsiter Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said the public holiday was
regarded as an occasion holiday under the constitution and law.

At a specially held press conference at his office in Kota Darulnaim here
Monday, he added that the decision was made after considering public interest in
view of the Manik Urai state seat by-election Tuesdaytomorrow, which is a
working day.

Manek Urai is a small town in Kelantan state.

Asked whether the move would be a loss to employers in terms of paid salary
and production at the manufacturing plants, he said employers must not just
think of profit.

"This (declaring polling day public holiday) is not new as the Penang
(northern state in Peninsular Malaysia) government had also done it for the
Permatang Pauh by-election.

Permatang Pauh is a town in Seberang Perai, the hinterland portion of the
island-state of Penang, Malaysia.

"I don't know why the Election Commission chose a working day for polling
day, and not a weekend holiday or school holiday," he said and urged voters to
come out and vote as "it is a responsibility".

-- BERNAMA