The public service department (JPA) said Hindu civil servants may take one day of unrecorded leave before or after Deepavali, which will be celebrated next Thursday, allowing for a break of Wednesday to Saturday, or Thursday to Sunday.

The JPA circular stated that unrecorded leave would also apply to state civil services, statutory bodies and local governments, and would be subject to the approval of the civil servants’ superiors.

Students at all training institutes of the manpower department will also get a four-day Deepavali weekend.

Human resources minister Steven Sim said an additional holiday will be given on Wednesday Oct 30 for training institutes in Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, while those in other states will have their extra day off on Friday, Nov 1, Bernama reported.

“Since there are 1,500 Indian students at these institutes, the ministry has agreed to give an additional day off for all students.”

However, Sim said the students would have to attend replacement classes when they return.