KUALA LUMPUR: The Director-General of Public Services Department (PSD) has agreed to grant unrecorded leave on Monday (Nov 13) to all Hindu civil servants in Sarawak who will be celebrating Deepavali.
This is following a circular by the Sarawak state government which had agreed to improve the decision of a 1978 circular memorandum to enable Hindu civil servants to apply for unrecorded leave the following day when Deepavali is celebrated on a Sunday.
Datuk Sri Dr Zulkafli Mohamad issued a statement in which it acknowledged receipt of the Sarawak state circular dated Thursday and stated that the unrecorded leave would be in effect as of the date the statement is published.
"Aligned with that (the circular), the government has agreed to grant unrecorded Deepavali Celebration leave to Sarawak civil servants who adhere to the Hindu religion as follows:
"If Deepavali Day falls on a working day, civil servants can apply for unrecorded leave on that day; or if Deepavali falls on a Sunday, the officer can apply for unrecorded leave the next working day.
"In relation to that, since Deepavali Day 2023 falls on Sunday (Nov 12), officials can apply for unrecorded leave on Monday (Nov 13) to celebrate Deepavali," he said.
Earlier, the New Straits Times reported that the Sarawak state government has agreed to provide unrecorded leave on Monday (Nov 13) to all Hindu civil servants celebrating Deepavali.
In a circular by the Sarawak state chief secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki sighted by the New Straits Times, the approval of the application of unrecorded leave however falls on the head of departments.
This is following the NST's report on Wednesday of a Hindu doctor stationed on the periphery of Sarawak expressing concern over the differential treatment they are subjected to, given that they will be unable to return to the Peninsula in time to celebrate Deepavali with their families.
The doctor also raised concern that more doctors might reject offers in Sarawak due to the double standards and would contribute more towards the understaffing issue.