Sunday August 24, 2008 MYT 8:30:07 PM
By-election: Public holiday for Penang
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.
News Poll
- Man posted doctored photos of Nik Aziz
- Heartbreaking wait for mum
- The world just got bigger
- Sodomy II: Judge decision on recusing himself on Feb 18
- Opposition leaders decry court’s ruling
- Thumbs-up for Najib
- 5-0 for BN’s Zambry
- Saiful files report over death threat
- WWF: Orang asli being used
- Weather warning for Perak, Selangor and Sabah
- 60 lose RM25mil in gold investment scam
- Canberra to set new skills list
- Fleet card cloning ring busted with arrest of trio
- Sodomy II: Judge decision on recusing himself on Feb 18
- Toyota puts the brakes on problem
- MAS offers CNY bargains
- Man posted doctored photos of Nik Aziz
- Saiful files report over death threat
- Manila joins hunt for Semporna gunmen
- WWF: Orang asli being used
RSS
