SHAH ALAM, Nov 9 — The Selangor state government has announced November 18 to be a gazetted state holiday.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said that this is to ease the process for voters to return to their respective constituencies and cast their ballots for the 15th general election on November 19 .
“I would like to declare November 18 to be a public holiday in Selangor for both the public and private sectors.
“This is so that voters can head back to their constituencies with ease before the polling day,” said Amirudin during a press conference at the State Secretariat Building, Shah Alam, which was broadcasted live, today.
Amirudin said that the decision to announce the public holiday ahead of the Federal government is part of the state administrantion’s initiative to its people.
“We have had discussions with other states as well, and they are also looking to announce the same, but Selangor is the first to take this step. We received the green light to make this announcement in less than 24 hours after the state government had this discussion.
“Hopefully, this will encourage the other states to do the same as it is a benefit for everyone,” he said.
The Menteri Besar also said that Selangor has more than 3.677 million voters living and working in the state, the highest in Malaysia, where many of them are casting ballots in other states or districts.
“Our decision will hopefully allow the people to travel back to their voting areas safely with their families, with proper planning and hopefully without much traffic,” he said.
The Election Commission has set November 19 as the polling day for the 15th general election, with early voting on November 15.
