Kedah’s move to declare Thaipusam as public holiday not a political move to persuade voters, experts say
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, in a statement said the decision was made at a state executive council meeting held last Jan 18. - Photo: BERNAMA
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Dr Syaza Shukri, a political analyst at International Islamic University, believes the recent announcement will have little impact on the Kedah government's popularity.
"The minorities in Kedah are less than 25 per cent. So Kedah's decision to announce Thaipusam as a public holiday, can't be perceived as a political move as it would mostly likely make no difference," she told Sinar Daily.
However, Syaza believes that this action will persuade Malaysians in general that the Kedah government respects all.
"But in terms of impact on the state election, I think it is very marginal," she added.
In agreement with Syaza, Universiti Teknologi Mara political analyst Dr Abdul Aziz Azizam stated that this move will preserve the peace and harmony of Kedahan's multiracial people.
"I believe non-Malays are smart enough to choose the best state government that is capable of maintaining the harmony and welfare of Kedah people," he said, adding that the move is less likely to gain the support of non-Malay voters in the upcoming state elections.
Thaipusam as a public holiday is not unusual in Kedah, Abdul Aziz said, because, since 2014, as per records, the religious festival has been made an ‘occasional holiday (cuti peristiwa)’ in the state.
"What was announced by Kedah MB recently is not something unusual; hence, it is not enough to look at it as a ‘please’ mechanism for the non-Malay voters," he added.
These experts were responding to recent reports that the Kedah government had agreed to declare Feb 5 a holiday in conjunction with Thaipusam.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said in a statement today that the decision was made at a state executive council meeting last January 18.
"This is to facilitate the Hindu community in the state in celebrating the religious event with their families, while for the non-Hindus, it is hoped it will provide them with the best possible benefit considering that the day falls on a Sunday (long weekend)," he said.
However, Universiti Utara Malaysia political analyst Associate Professor Dr Ummu Atiyyah Ahmad Zakuan said this announcement can be seen as a smart political move and a kind of recognition for the respective communities.
"As Kedah will be having a state election very soon, this is a very good move to attract voters, especially from the minorities," she said.
Ummu opined that this announcement will not make as much difference as in the recent GE15.
"Kedah is the Malay heartland, and with more than 70 percent of voters being Malays, the announcement will not change the voting pattern," she commented.
