The text message that was sighted on WhatsApp is confirmed to be fake.
KUCHING: A text message circulating on WhatsApp stating that there would be a public holiday for Sarawakians on Dec 25 and 26 for the Christmas celebrations is untrue.
A spokesman for the Chief Minister’s Office confirmed that the text message was a hoax.
The text, which was spread on a multitude of WhatsApp groups, stated that the public holidays were announced by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in conjunction with Christmas.
Members of the public are advised to stop sharing the text to avoid the spread of misinformation, and to always check with verified news sources first.
Hopes are high for an extended public holiday for Sarawakians after Sabah announced recently that it would be having public holidays on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
The Sarawak government has yet to make any announcement or hinted at more public holidays this Christmas season, and is not expected to.
Sarawakians however, can look forward to next year, which will have up to seven long weekends, according to the 2020 Sarawak Government Almanac.