No, no public holiday declared for Jan 31

PETALING JAYA: A fake message has gone viral on social media and messaging apps claiming that Jan 31 has been declared a public holiday in conjunction with the taking of the oath of office by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

This is not true. There has yet to be an official announcement.

The fake message lists Jan 31 as a public holiday, saying it will be the “Agung Inauguration Day”, with a link to a Jan 9 story by The Star announcing the date of the swearing-in.

Checks with the office of the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal showed that no public holiday has been announced.

The only one who can announce a public holiday for the country is the Chief Secretary to the Government, Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Bakar.

The Malay Rulers will hold a special meeting to choose the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Jan 24, and on Jan 31, will reconvene to decide on the date for the oath-taking ceremony.

The two dates were agreed upon by the six Malay Rulers at a special meeting on Jan 7, convened to accept the resignation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V, who had stepped down on Jan 6.