KOTA KINABALU, March 14 -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced an additional public holiday for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, allowing Malaysians more time to travel and spend with their families.

Speaking at the National Consumer Day celebration at Suria Sabah shopping mall today, the prime minister said that the extra holiday will be observed on either the Friday or Monday surrounding the festival, depending on when the first day of Raya is officially declared.

To assist the public in planning their journeys, Anwar outlined the two possible scenarios.

Scenario one: If the first day of Raya falls on Friday, March 20, then Monday, March 23 will be declared the extra public holiday.

Scenario two: If ...