MIC president G Palanivel said he had spoken to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on the matriculation examination that has been fixed a day after Deepavali (Oct 27).

Palanivel said he had also spoken to Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the education minister, who said the Education Ministry was aware of it.

"Muhyiddin said they were considering to postpone the exam to a new date," he said via SMS to Bernama today.

NONE Palanivel (left) , who is also minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said he raised the matter after receiving complaints through SMS and phone calls from the Indian community.

He said postponing the matriculation exam would go down well with Indians celebrating Deepavali and hoped the deputy prime minister would make an announcement soon.

Meanwhile, government retirees with pension warrants dated Oct 19-31 can cash them from Tuesday (Oct 18).

The Public Service Department (PSD), in a statement today, said the government decided on the early payment in view of the Deepavali celebration on Oct 26.

Those who are to receive their pension through the banks can also claim the payment from the same day, it said.

- Bernama