Post-polls state holidays not mandatory, says HR Ministry

PETALING JAYA: The Human Resources Ministry has clarified that the public holiday declared in five states after recent elections was not a mandatory paid public holiday. In a statement on Thursday (Aug 17), the ministry explained that the five state governments – Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor, and Negri Sembilan – had declared public holidays under Section 9 (1) of the Holidays Act 1951. However, these declared public holidays are not considered mandatory paid public holidays according to Section 60D (1)(b) of the Employment Act.

Despite this, the ministry encouraged employers to provide paid public holidays to their employees involved. The public holidays were declared following the respective state elections, except in Penang. The recent elections on Aug 12 saw the coalition between Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional retaining three states – Penang, Selangor, and Negri Sembilan. The alliance between Perikatan Nasional also retained control of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah.