Kelantan has declared a ‘cuti peristiwa’ (occasional holiday) for polling day on Sunday May 5, which is a working day in the state.

Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said the holiday would facilitate voting by working people.

“It is not necessary for them apply for leave or seek time off to go and vote,” he told a news conference after chairing the weekly meeting of the state executive council at Kota Darulnaim, n Kota Baru.

Meanwhile, Bernama reports that Terengganu is expected to declare a public holiday on polling day.

Menteri Besar Ahmad Said said the decision on the holiday was expected to be taken at a special meeting soon.

A holiday would enable civil servants and others to go to the polls, he told reporters after launching the Quality Day 2013 celebration at the stadium in Kuala Terengganu.

Ahmad said the comeback of several leaders as electoral candidates was designed to strengthen the hold of the Barisan Nasional (BN) on the state.

He said the return of experienced individuals as candidates was also vital for continuity of the party’s struggle.

He cited them as Dungun Umno Division head Dr Rosli Mat Hassan (who will contest the Dungun parliamentary seat); Terengganu Football Association president Che Mat Jusoh (Batu Buruk state seat); political secretary to the menteri besar Wan Ahmad Nizam Wan Abdul Hamid (Cukai state seat); former state assembly speaker Tengku Putera Tengku Awang (Kuala Berang state seat) and Zaidi Muda (Bukit Payung state seat).

“We have informed (party leaders and members) that this election involves the party and not individuals. The candidates can be changed but the party’s struggle must continue. We cannot become sentimental and emotional in this matter,” he said.

Earlier, in his speech, Ahmad emphasised that the state civil servants should respect government policies even if their political affiliation differed.

“Our duty as civil servants is to support and respect the government of the day, despite any political differences,” he said.

At the event, 84 staff of the Kuala Terengganu City Council were honoured with excellence service awards for 2012.

- Bernama

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