MELAKA: Melaka civil servants will be allowed to go on leave to fulfil their Thaipusam obligations on Jan 28 during the movement control order period, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali (pic).
"The state will not stop some 100 civil servants from applying leave on Thaipusam through their respective department heads," he told The Star on Thursday (Jan 21).
Sulaiman said Thaipusam is also celebrated by the local Chinese community.
"We are serious in preserving our multi-cultural identity and will not deny locals their right to observe religious rites," he said.
He also urged the Health Ministry to allow Hindu doctors and medical staff to take leave.
Sulaiman said in previous years, the Health Ministry had granted Thaipusam leave in tandem with the state government's move.
He also said he hoped the private sector would allow employers to take leave on Thaipusam.
Thaipusam is a public holiday in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, Penang, Perak, Negri Sembilan and Johor but not in Melaka.
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