Press Statement by Karpal Singh in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, 6^th April 2010:

Declare Vaisakhi and Hindu New Year a national holiday

The Sikhs celebrate their New Year (Vaisakhi) on 14^th April, 2010. Likewise, the Hindus celebrate their New Year on the same day.

For both the Hindus and the Sikhs, this day is of considerable significance and the government should seriously consider declaring the Sikh and Hindu New Year a national holiday. The Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak, should in line with his much touted ‘1 Malaysia’ concept give expression to it by recognising the Hindu and Sikh New Year as one which deserves a national holiday.

Various calls have been made in the past for the government to declare the Hindu and Sikh New Year as a national holiday. However, there has been no positive response from the government.

If the government is not minded to declare the Hindu and Sikh New Year a national holiday, I call upon the Penang and Selangor State governments now under the Pakatan rule to take this bold step to declare a state holiday in this two states.

Penang is the first state which has introduced the annual RM100 grant to all warga mas (senior citizens) in the state. ‘Penang Leads’, is the motto of the state. The time has come for Penang to take the lead.

The request for a holiday to mark the Hindu and Sikh New Year is a legitimate expectation for all Hindus and Sikhs in the country.

It is my earnest hope that the request I am making on behalf of all Hindus and Sikhs in the country will strike a chord in the heart of the Prime Minister.

* Karpal Singh, DAP National Chairman & MP for Bukit Gelugor