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By-election: Public holiday for Penang |
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Sunday, 24 August 2008 08:11pm |
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©The
Star (Used by permission)
PENANG: The state government has declared a public holiday on Tuesday “to ensure
a full turnout of voters for the critical Permatang Pauh by-election”, Chief
Minister Lim Guan Eng said.
He said in a statement that Penang had been mulling over the matter since the
Elections Commission fixed the day, a working day, as the polling day “in
defiance of public opinion that the move will reduce voter turnout.”
“Clearly reducing the voter turnout will affect the election results as it may
be seen as favouring one party over the other,” he said.
He said this sentiment was further reinforced by the announcement by Education
Director-General Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom that all government schools in
Permatang Pauh would be given a special holiday on the day.
“Moreover, this special holiday need not be replaced which means it is an
additional free holiday.
He said the latest act by the Federal government clearly showed that the
Permatang Pauh by-election was no ordinary by-election but had crucial national
significance with wide national implications.
“This is due to the participation of (PKR de facto leader) Datuk Seri Anwar
Ibrahim and his attempt to return to Parliament and make a bid for federal power
as the alternative Prime Minister,” he said.
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Circular No 297/2008
