Menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the matter was approved at the state exco meeting today.

Earlier this year, the menteri besar had refused to give a public holiday for Thaipusam when the country was under a movement control order, saying there was no need for the holiday when the celebrations had been called off.

“The occasional holiday is not given automatically each year. It has to be discussed and approved in an exco meeting,” Sanusi told reporters after the Sabo Dam construction project handover ceremony to the contractor at Titi Hayun here.

He said it is hoped the approval will bring joy to the community who celebrate this festival.

Thaipusam is a state holiday in Selangor, Johor,  Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Perak and the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. It has been observed as an optional or occasional state holiday in Kedah since 2013.