Another day, another holiday – but what did we gain?

Malaysia recently observed yet another public holiday, this one coinciding with the National Day. Added to this were the week-long school holidays and Selangor residents received an additional day, following the state's strong performance in the recent Sukma inter-state games. Politicians enjoyed the opportunity to announce this news without incurring any personal expenses, as the employers bear the financial burden.

A retired individual missed out on the extra day and holiday pay, but at least did not face the employer's extra costs or disruptions caused by it. The act of declaring a casual public holiday is seen by some as a misguided attempt to win favor from the citizens. The rationale behind creating such holidays is debatable, with some arguing that they bring benefits such as respite from office work and increased family time.

However, critics contend that these holidays lead to economic costs without benefiting society at large. They question whether a public holiday is truly warranted unless a significant national event occurs, such as winning the World Cup. Public holidays are intended to allow citizens to observe them meaningfully, yet many simply stay at home without engaging in celebrations or fulfilling cultural or religious obligations.

The author recalls a scenario where a state declared ad hoc holidays based on merely reaching the final of a football competition, despite ultimately losing each time. Such decisions often lead to disruptions for businesses and ordinary citizens, who face closures of government and commercial services. The biggest issue lies in the sense of entitlement among the populace.

While an extra day off may not directly impact work performance or voting preferences, the perception of entitlement can breed a culture of unearned privileges. The author argues that this entitlement mindset has permeated various aspects of Malaysian society, from affirmative action programs to economic subsidies. Over time, these "privileges" have morphed into "rights," regardless of parliamentary approval.

The author believes that such entitlement fosters a culture of outrage and a disregard for logic and justifications. While political leaders may be aware that the drawbacks of ad hoc holidays outweigh the benefits, they often feel compelled to grant these perks to maintain goodwill with the populace. Ultimately, the author concludes that this pattern of granting unearned perks is a lose-lose situation for everyone involved, as it not only incentivizes further expectations but also places the economic burden on businesses and the general population.

The author emphasizes that Malaysia already has an abundance of entitlements and does not need to add to the list.