PETALING JAYA: Hindu civil servants have been given an additional day off to celebrate Deepavali beginning this year.
This was announced in a circular, allowing Hindu staff to take unrecorded leave on Nov 7, the day after Deepavali.
“This is to give civil servants more time to celebrate with family members,” said Public Service Department director-general Borhan Dolah in the letter.
Except for Sarawak, Deepavali is a public holiday in Malaysia.
Last month, the education ministry allowed students in Tamil vernacular schools (SJKT) to take a replacement holiday for Deepavali in November.
The ministry also said teachers in Tamil schools could request for a special holiday with their administration.