Extra national holiday if Eid falls on Friday

PUTRAJAYA - The government has announced an additional public holiday in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations,

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this was to give people the time to make adequate preparations for Hari Raya Aidilfitri and return to their hometowns.

He said the additional holiday will depend on the official announcement on Thursday by the Keeper of the Ruler's Seal for the first of Syawal date 1, 1444H

Anwar explained that said, in the event Aidilfitri falls on Friday, the additional public holiday would fall on Monday.

"However, if the date for Syawal 1, falls on Saturday (April 22) Friday April 21, will be the additional public holiday," he said in a press conference at Perdana Putra on Tuesday.

He said Sabah and Sarawak state governments can declare the additional holiday according to their respective General Holiday Ordinance.

Anwar announced Malaysia Prison Department will implement the release of licensed free persons (OBB) under the Ihsan Madani (awaited return) licensed prisoner release programme (PBSL).

He explained this effort was to give an opportunity for Muslim prisoners to celebrate Eid with their families.

"The OBB release will be implemented across all Malaysian Prison institutions involving the release of more than 1,000 OBB throughout the months of Ramadhan and Syawal," he said.