INTERIM Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today announced November 18 and 19 as national public holidays to allow Malaysians to return to their hometowns to vote.

The general election is on November 19.

“The government has decided to declare this coming Friday and Saturday as public holidays to allow Malaysians to vote,” he said in a civil service union Cuepacs event in Purajaya

He also said there would be no toll charges over the two days for travellers in private vehicles.

Previously the state governments of Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Penang, all ruled by Pakatan Harapan, had announced state public holidays on November 18 to allow Malaysians to be able to return to their hometowns to vote the next day.

These three states are not holding their state elections in this general election, opting to call for polls next year so that they are better prepared to handle the monsoon season.

Ismail Sabri explained that November 19 was declared a public holiday as some private sector companies were in operation on Saturday and some employees would not be able to cast their votes.

“We want to make sure Malaysians can exercise their rights as is clearly stipulated in the Federal Constitution.

“No one can prevent a citizen from exercising their right to vote,” he said.

On the free toll, the Prime Minister said this would apply on highways provided by 30 concessionaires.

The free toll starts from 12.01am on November 18 until 11.59pm on November 19.

During the last general election in 2018, the government also announced a public holiday on polling day which fell on a Wednesday. – November 14, 2022.