Thaipusam declared a holiday in Kedah

The Kedah government today declared Jan 17 as a 'cuti peristiwa' (occasional holiday) for the state in conjunction with the Thaipusam festival.

Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir said the holiday was declared upon consent from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, who is also the Sultan of Kedah.

"However, if the occasional holiday falls on weekend (Friday and Saturday), it will not be replaced.

"Since Jan 17 this year falls on Friday, it will not be replaced, but it will enable private companies, including banks, to have a day off," he told reporters the Kolej Universiti Insaniah (Kuin) main campus in Kuala Ketil near here today.

He said, after this, the state government would make a request for Thaipusam to be declared a public holiday in Kedah.

"But this year, we'll just enjoy the occasional holiday," he added.