GE14 | Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad has announced that May 10 and 11 will be declared as public holidays if the coalition wins the general election.

"I don't like public holidays but I realise that others do. This one time only," the former premier told a briefing for Harapan's candidates in Petaling Jaya this evening.

Given that polling day (Wednesday, May 9) has been declared a public holiday, Mahathir said Malaysians would get a five-day break if Harapan is victorious, also taking into account the weekend. 

During the press conference, it was pointed out that there had been polling days set on weekdays during Mahathir’s time as prime minister.

“It wasn’t critical that time, and there weren’t many objections even though it (polls) was held on weekdays. There weren’t objections as severe as today,” Mahathir replied.

The idea for Harapan to declare May 10 and 11 as public holidays should they win the coming general election was first mooted by Amanah strategy director Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

He said the extra holiday would provide voters an extended weekend without the need to rush back to work.