Media Conference Statement by Lim Kit Siang in Sandakan on Sunday, 20^th January 2008:

 

Abdullah should immediately declare Wednesday, January 23, 2008 as the first Thaipusam national public holiday instead of just thinking about it

 

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should immediately declare Wednesday, January 23, 2008 as the first Thaipusam national public holiday instead of just thinking about it.

 

Abdullah told a Ponggal Festival event at Bukit Bintang last night  that he would consider declaring Thaipusam a national public holiday.

 

In the past decades, both inside and outside Parliament, DAP has been calling for Thaipusam to be declared a public holiday and not just a state holiday in Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Johor.

 

As there is nothing more to consider, Abdullah should immediately announce Wednesday as the first Thaipusam public holiday so that it could Thaipusam could be celebrated by all Malaysians throughout the country beginning on January 23, 2008.

 

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* Lim Kit Siang, Malaysian Parliamentary Opposition Leader, Member of Parliament for Ipoh Timur & Democratic Action Party Central Policy and Strategic Planning Commission Chairman