Extra Raya holiday not populist decision, says Ahmad Maslan

The decision to give an additional public holiday in conjunction with Aidilfitri is not a populist one and the government has no intention of making the private sector bear losses, said Deputy Finance Minister I Ahmad Maslan.

"I don't see this decision disturbing the private sector and I think the festive atmosphere is felt by all communities.

"So it’s not troubling and hurting (the private sector) and it's the same as giving free Rahmah toll for four days which aims to help the people," he told reporters after handing over the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah at Bank Simpanan Nasional in Kuching today.

Mydin Mohamed Holdings Bhd managing director Ameer Ali Mydin in an interview on a local television station said that the additional holiday would cause his company to bear losses of RM500,000.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced an additional public holiday in conjunction with Aidilfitri to make it easier for people to make preparations for the festival and to return to their home towns.

Meanwhile, Maslan said the government had distributed the cash contribution to about 8.7 million recipients nationwide including 63,510 recipients in Sarawak.