Sarawak government declares May 9 as public holiday

KUCHING: The Sarawak government has declared the May 9 polling day a public holiday in the state.

"Following the announcement by the Election Commission that polling day for the 14th general election falls on Wednesday, May 9, the state government has decided that an additional public holiday be declared throughout Sarawak on that day to enable the rakyat to exercise their democratic rights to vote," the Chief Minister's Office said in a statement on Thursday (April 12).

This comes after the Prime Minister's Office announced May 9 as an additional public holiday on Wednesday (April 11).

Nominations for 222 parliamentary seats and 505 state seats have been set for April 28, giving political parties 11 days to campaign.

Early voting for military and police personnel as well as voters living abroad has been fixed for May 5.