THE additional public holiday for the federal territories – Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan – was approved by the government, said Minister Shahidan Kassim, following criticism from the opposition.

“We did not announce the public holiday immediately as done by other states that win the Malaysia Cup.

“But we referred to Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the Chief Secretary,” the Arau MP told Dewan Rakyat during his winding-up speech on the Supply Bill 2022 (committee stage) debate today.

Shahidan said the government decided to set the public holiday on December 3 after Kuala Lumpur City FC beat Johor Darul Takzim FC 2-0 in the Malaysia Cup final on Tuesday.

The minister said that the public holiday was given in accordance to section 9(2) of the Holidays Act 1951.

“The banks, however, will operate as usual as the Finance Ministry said there would be effects. Bursa Saham Kuala Lumpur will close,” said Shahidan.

The minister was responding to Lim Lip Eng (Kepong-PH) who asked how the economy would be affected by the additional public holiday.

Earlier today Bangi MP Ong Kian Meng said the decision to declare tomorrow a public holiday was politically irresponsible.

In a statement, he said the sudden declaration would disrupt the economy and social life in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.

The unexpected public holiday will cost companies millions in unplanned output losses, he added.

“As much as 90% of the RM216 billion gross domestic product output is in the services sector in Kuala Lumpur.

“The capital is the heartbeat of the financial services sector in the country and home to the operational headquarters of accounting and tax consultants and multinational companies, which may have to pay for unplanned overtime to ensure core services remain up and running during the public holiday.”

Ong said the public holiday may cause up to RM400 million in lost output, something that the country could afford when it is still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Meanwhile, Shahidan did not respond to questions about whether there was a new guideline on the sale of liquor at grocers, convenience stores and Chinese medicinal halls.

“DBKL has maintained the same guidelines that was announced on November 1.

“We have met stakeholders, and if their applications have been rejected, they can appeal to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) Excise Licensing Board,” said Shahidan.

He said that the authorities would focus on the sale of illicit liquor.

After taking over the government last year, the Perikatan Nasional government banned the sale of liquor in groceries, convenience stores and Chinese medicinal halls. These establishments can only sell beer from 7am till 9pm.

The controversial ruling has been maintained by the new Barisan Nasional government that took over in August.

Dewan Rakyat has approved a sum of RM670.8 million for the FT ministry for next year. – December 2, 2021.