KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 -- The Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Samenta) has urged the government to stop declaring "surprise" public holidays, calling it an "unhealthy economic habit" that places a significant financial strain on businesses.

The call comes in response to the prime minister's announcement yesterday of an additional public holiday for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.

In a statement, Samenta national president Datuk William Ng said the recurring trend of announcing holidays on short notice imposes avoidable costs on businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) already grappling with a volatile economy.

"Businesses are built on the ability to plan," Ng said.

"When a holiday is declar...