The Sarawak government has declared June 4 this year as a public holiday in the state, Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud said today.

He said it was in substitution for the second day of Gawai Dayak, which falls on the same day as the birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The notification was made in accordance with Section Five of the Public Holidays Ordinance, he said in a statement in Kuching.

Gawai Dayak, being celebrated by the Dayak community in thanksgiving for a bountiful paddy harvest, is observed on June 1-2 annually, which are also declared as public holidays in Sarawak.

- Bernama