“The government has decided that Friday and Saturday will be public holidays to make it easier for voters,” he said at a Cuepacs event here.

He added that 30 highway concessionaires had also agreed to go toll-free on both the days.

The umbrella body for civil service unions, Cuepacs had previously proposed that the government declare Nov 18 a public holiday to allow Malaysians to travel to their respective constituencies to cast their votes in the general election (GE15) the following day.

Ismail said the holidays were meant to encourage Malaysians to carry out their civic duty and vote on Saturday.

Previously, all three states under Pakatan Harapan – Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Penang – declared Nov 18 a state holiday to enable more Malaysians to return to their respective hometowns to vote.

According to the Election Commission, 21,173,638 voters are eligible to cast their ballots at 9,536 polling centres across the country on Saturday.

A total of 945 candidates will be vying for the 222 parliamentary seats.

Malaysia will go to the polls on Saturday, with early voting set for tomorrow.

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