KOTA KINABALU: Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau has suggested the implementation of floating holidays as a way to allow Malaysians from minority heritage to celebrate their cultural and religious festivals. He urged Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong to consider this practice, which is already in place in Indonesia and the United Nations.
The concept of floating holidays may benefit many industries and workers, as it allows for a rotation of celebrations without increasing the total number of public holidays. Tangau believes this may create a win-win situation for all parties involved.
Tangau emphasized that the goal is not to add more public holidays, as this may reduce productivity, but to manage holidays in a more innovative way. He suggests keeping the total number of public holidays constant while allowing members of minority groups to trade some of the lesser holidays for their own festivals.
According to Tangau, the implementation of floating holidays could be a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive approach to celebrating the cultural and religious festivals of minorities. He specifically highlighted the case of Thaipusam, which is a public holiday in several states, but has been cancelled in others in recent years.
He mentioned that Hindus who live in regions where Thaipusam is not observed, as well as other minority ethnic groups, often have to work or study during their own important festivals. Tangau believes that it is time for Malaysia to be more inclusive and supportive of the celebration of minorities’ cultural and religious festivals.
Tangau also called on the Sabah and Sarawak government to lead by example and implement floating holidays in honor of the rich heritage of their states. He hopes that Peninsular Malaysia will reciprocate for Kaamatan, Kalimaran, and Gawai, and that employers who support multiculturalism will also take the initiative to introduce this practice in their companies.
In conclusion, Tangau urged the Human Resources Minister to study the floating holiday proposal and consider its implementation, arguing that it would be a clear manifestation of the unity government’s ambition to promote the Madani spirit. He hopes that in the future, Hindus in all regions of Malaysia will have the choice to celebrate Thaipusam at home.
