With general elections GE-15 set on November 19, Penang has joined the chorus of states to declare a state public holiday on November 18.
Penang Chief Minister YAB Chow Kon Yeow in declaring the public holiday said that it will allow voters to prepare for GE-15.
“The day off would give voters “time and convenience” to make preparations ahead of polling day,” said Chow.
Other states which have already declared Nov 19 as a public holiday are Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.
Meanwhile, the Electrical Industry Workers’ Union called for a public holiday on Nov 19 itself.
“Most of the Companies do operate on Saturdays wherein the employees are scheduled to work during the day on 8-hour or 12-hour shifts.
“It goes without saying that the employees who are registered voters should be given reasonable period to cast their votes on the polling day. This is clearly enshrined under Section 25 of the Election Offences Act 1954 which states that employers should grant their employees “reasonable period for voting”.
“Being a trade union representing the employees at the electrical sector and private sector at large, Electrical Industry Workers’ Union (EIWU) echoes the calls by several organisations that the government declare Nov 18 a special public holiday. Since the polling day falls on 19 th November 2022, an additional day off should be given as a majority of Malaysians do not vote where their workplaces are located.
“EIWU calls upon the Government to declare the polling day on November 19 as a public holiday so that the employees who travel to their required locations to cast their votes mostly at outstation, are able to return home safely after having casted their vote.
“We are confident that the Government could be able to consider our request to declare 19th November 2022 as a public holiday as the employee has a civic duty to perform on the polling day,” said Md Zaimi Muhamad Yusof, General Secretary of Electrical Industry Workers’ Union in a press statement.