KUALA LUMPUR: Hindu civil servants and students of Labour Department training institutes (ILJTM) may enjoy a four-day weekend for Deepavali celebration.
The Public Service Department (PSD) announced that Hindu civil servants are eligible for unrecorded leave (UL) in conjunction with Deepavali, which falls on Oct 31.
Civil servants in states that recognise the public holiday may take one day of UL, either on Wednesday (Oct 30) or on the second day of the festival on Friday (Nov 1).
PSD clarified that the leave is subject to approval by individual agencies, but the circular was issued to extend the information to all state civil services, statutory bodies and local authorities.
The government has also agreed to grant an additional day off for students in Labour Department training institutes.
Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said for training institutes in Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu, the additional leave would be on Oct 30, and in other states, it would be on Nov 1.
"Considering that there are 1,500 Indian students in ILJTM, the Human Resources Ministry has agreed to grant an extra day of leave to all ILJTM students."
"The four-day holiday can be fully utilised by ILJTM students, especially Hindu students who celebrate Deepavali," said Sim in a report by Bernama.
However, Sim said, replacement classes must be held before the end of the training semester to ensure that the required teaching and learning activity (PdP) hours were met.