KUCHING: A widely-distributed WhatsApp message, claiming that Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem had declared an 'emergency public holiday' tomorrow (Wednesday) is untrue.
A spokesman at the Chief Minister’s Office told the New Straits Times that the message was untrue and done with malicious intent.
The message had claimed that Adenan had announced an 'emergency public holiday' tomorrow following the worsening floods in Sarawak.
“The widely-circulated news regarding the Chief Minister’s supposed announcement that there will be a Public Holiday on Feb 10 is not true. It is done with malicious intent,” said the spokesman.
The spokesman said Adenan had, however, asked those living in flood-prone areas to adhere to the authorities' directives during floods.
“The Chief Minister has asked the public to be be cautious and remain vigilant, as well as to abide by directives of the Operation Room personnel on their safety in the event of flood in their areas.
“Should they be required to evacuate, they should do so for their own safety,” said the spokesman.
As of 8pm today, a total of 3,230 people have been evacuated to 25 flood evacuation centres in the state.