Media statement by DAP Selangor Secretary Lau Weng San at Petaling Jaya on Monday, 21^st January 2008:

Nothing great to be cheered for Thaipusam holiday as it is still not a national public holiday

There is nothing great to be cheered about when the Prime Minister announced yesterday that Thaipusam is a public holiday in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya Federal Territories, as Thaipusam is still not a national holiday as demanded by Malaysian Indians Community.

Only five states in Malaysia had declared that Thaipusam is a state public holiday. These states were Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Johore. DAP has been joining the legitimate calls from the Indian community to demand Thaipusam to be declared a public holiday and not just a state holiday in Penang, Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Johore.

The Prime Minister reasoned his declaration that Thaipusam as a public holiday for Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya to reduce the traffic jam in the capital during the festival.

It is an insult to the Indians community that this is the reason for Thaipusam to be declared as a public holiday in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya as the government’s decision has down-played various efforts from the Indian community to demand the festival to be declared as a national public holiday.

If this were the logic used by the government, is the government prepared to declare more public holidays whenever there is a huge traffic jam during any festivals?

Thaipusam should be called a national public holiday as to respect the religious rights of Malaysian Indians not because of traffic jam in the capital, also to enhance racial integration in Malaysia.

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* Lau Weng San, DAP Selangor Secretary