KAJANG: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has declared a nationwide public holiday on Monday.
Anwar, who was sworn in as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister this evening, said he has discussed the matter with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“The ringgit has strengthened, so has Bursa Malaysia, so with this I want to announce that tomorrow will not be a public holiday, but a public holiday will be declared for Monday,” he said.
“I have told the chief secretary to the government and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“Let us now focus on the economy and (do) whatever it takes to revive (it) so that the welfare of the people, particularly the poor and the marginalised, will be protected.”
Bernama reported that the ringgit climbed 1.8% to its highest in over two months versus the US dollar today after Anwar’s appointment.
At 6pm, the local note surged to 4.4910/5000 against the greenback from Wednesday’s close of 4.5725/5775.
Bursa Malaysia also rallied to a near three-month high today, with Bernama reporting that the key index jumped 4.04%, on bullish sentiment following the clarity in the political scene.
Stating that he would be clocking in at his office tomorrow before 10am, Anwar reiterated his election promise that he would forgo his salary if appointed prime minister.
Although he did not address the issue at the press conference, the PKR president had also pledged to reduce the number of ministers in the Cabinet and cut down their salaries.
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