In a statement, the DAP MP said the sudden announcement made by the federal territories minister Shahidan Kassim yesterday is economically and socially disruptive for many.

“This unexpected holiday will cost many companies millions in unplanned lost output,” he added.

Ong said businesses that conduct transactions with government offices would have to delay their transactions to next week and this will result in lost time and productivity.

He added that the unplanned public holiday was socially disruptive for parents who live in KL but work in Selangor.

“They would have to make sudden childcare arrangements for their children who do not have to go to school,” he said.

Shahidan announced the special holiday for the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan after Kuala Lumpur City FC took the coveted Malaysia Cup 2021 crown on Tuesday night, ending a 32-year drought in the competition.

Earlier today, Bursa Malaysia announced that the stock exchange and its subsidiaries will be closed on Friday in conjunction with the public holiday and will resume operation on Monday, Dec 6.

However, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) also issued a statement stating it will remain open as usual, as will all banks, on Friday.

“BNM and all banks, including branch operations, in the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur will be open and operating as usual on Friday, Dec 3. Financial market transactions in the foreign exchange, money and over-the-counter (OTC) bond markets will also continue to function as usual,” it said.