Govt Grants Unrecorded Deepavali Leave For Hindu Federal Civil Servants In Sarawak

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The matter was stated in a circular dated 9 November signed by Public Services Department (PSD) director-general Datuk Dr Zulkapli Mohamed which was uploaded on the official PSD Facebook page.

According to the circular, if Deepavali falls on a working day, officers can apply for CTR on that day, while if Deepavali falls on a Sunday, officers can apply for CTR on the following working day.

"In that regard, as Deepavali in 2023 falls on Sunday (12 November), then officers who are of Hindu faith can apply for CTR on Monday (13 November) to celebrate Deepavali," according to the circular.

Since 2018, the government has been granting CTR in conjunction with the Deepavali celebration for one day, which is the next day (the second day) to Hindu civil servants besides the Deepavali public holiday.

The Sarawak government has agreed to give CTR in conjunction with the Deepavali celebration to Sarawak state public servants who are Hindus through Sarawak State Employment Circular Number 26 Year 2023 dated 9 November.

The CTR in conjunction with Deepavali celebration for Hindu federal civil service officers serving in the state of Sarawak which is effective from the date the letter is issued has also extended to all heads of statutory bodies of Sarawak.

Previously, the government agreed that the CTR in conjunction with the Deepavali festival which falls on 13 November (Monday) will be brought to 14 November (Tuesday) for public service officers of the Hindu faith in states whose weekly holiday is Sunday.