He said employers could observe the additional public holiday and pay regular salaries, or instruct their employees to work and pay them according to the public holiday rates.

“Employers can also opt to give a replacement holiday on another day if their employees are required to work on that public holiday.

“To ensure that the implementation of the additional public holiday is fair and organised, the labour department is prepared to provide advisory services and answer any queries,” Bernama reported him as saying today.

Sim said his ministry welcomed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement earlier today that Sept 15 would be designated as an additional public holiday in conjunction with Malaysia Day.

“This announcement is good news for workers in the public and private sectors nationwide.

“This additional holiday allows all Malaysians to celebrate unity, strengthen the spirit of nationalism, and appreciate the uniqueness of Malaysia’s formation as a multiracial, multireligious and multicultural country,” he said.