Wilson urges clear guidelines on replacement holidays

Clear guidelines on replacement public holidays are needed to ensure employers and employees understand their respective rights and obligations, particularly in relation to employment laws and contractual arrangements.

Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang made the call when debating the Public Holidays (Amendment) Bill, 2026, at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today (Oct 13).

“Both employers and employees must understand their respective rights and obligations,” he said.

Wilson said the proposed amendments to the Public Holidays Ordinance 1958 will provide greater clarity when public holidays overlap.

Under the proposed amendment to Section 3, if a public holiday falls on a Sunday and the following Monday is already another public holiday, the subsequent day would be observed as a replacement holiday unless otherwise ordered by the Head of State.

He said the change was based on the principle that “the rakyat should not lose the benefit of a public holiday merely because two holidays coincide on the calendar”.

Wilson said predictable holiday arrangements were important for employees, businesses, schools and public institutions, allowing them to plan their activities and operations.

He added that public holidays were particularly important for rural communities, as they provided opportunities for Sarawakians working or studying away from home to return to their villages and longhouses.

Wilson said residents of Pelagus in Kapit often faced long road journeys, river transportation and substantial expenses when travelling home.

“A public holiday may appear to be just another date on the calendar, but for a family living far from home, it can mean the opportunity to reunite with loved ones and preserve the traditions that form the very identity of Sarawak,” he said.

He also welcomed the proposed provision allowing the Head of State to amend the Schedule of public holidays through notification in the Gazette, saying it would give the Sarawak government greater administrative flexibility.

Wilson expressed his support for the Bill, saying it would provide greater certainty for workers and businesses while recognising the practical needs of rural communities.