In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said it was invoking the Holidays Act 1951 to make polling day an ad hoc national holiday.

“This is to let Malaysians fulfil their duties as voters,” the statement read.

Yesterday, the Election Commission announced it had fixed May 9, a Wednesday, as polling day for GE14, with the nomination day fixed for Saturday, April 28, and early voting on Saturday, May 5.

Following the announcement, various quarters, including opposition parties, Bersih 2.0, Cuepacs and trade unions had urged the government to declare a public holiday on May 9 so that it would be convenient for voters to cast their ballots.

Today’s announcement comes as a relief for thousands of Malaysians who would otherwise have had to take leave to go back to their hometowns to vote.

Earlier today, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he was checking with the state secretary on the powers vested with the caretaker state government to declare a public holiday in the state and if it was necessary.

He also urged Prime Minister Najib Razak to follow the example of former PM-turned-opposition leader Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who declared a public holiday when the polling day fell on a weekday in 1999.

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