Premier: No public holiday for S’wak after emerging as Sukma XXI overall champs

KUCHING (Aug 25): There is no immediate public holiday declared in conjunction with the Sarawak contingent winning the 21st Malaysia Games (Sukma) due to implications incurred, especially in the economic sector, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He said this was decided after discussing the matter with State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki.

“When public holidays are (suddenly) announced, there are many implications from an economic point of view involving double payments,” he said in a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report today.

Nonetheless, he pointed out there were other initiatives to be announced later, particularly for those who were on duty throughout Sukma XXI and needed a break.

On Saturday, Sarawak was declared the overall champions of Sukma XXI with a tally of 76 gold medals, pipping closest challenger Federal Territories by just one gold.

It also ended a 30-year wait for Sarawak to emerge as overall champions of Sukma, after having won the title for three consecutive Games in 1990, 1992 and 1994.

The just-concluded Sukma XXI was hosted by Sarawak, and took place in venues in Kuching, Lundu, Kota Samarahan, Serian, Sri Aman, Betong, Mukah, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.