KUALA LUMPUR: A senior DAP lawmaker has expressed unhappiness over the public holiday declared in the Federal Territories following KL City FC's Malaysia Cup victory.

       Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) said that there was no reason to make such a "sudden" public holiday announcement.

       "If you want to give RM1mil each to all the football players, please do so. But please don't make such a sudden announcement of a public holiday on Friday," she said while debating the Supply Bill 2022 (Budget 2022) at the committee level for the Federal Territories Ministry in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Dec 2).

       "Not everyone is a football fan and not everyone wants a holiday.

       "With the announcement, schools cannot open with some sitting for examinations.

       "There are companies, businesses and industries, factories that are forced to cancel prior plans.

       "Luckily, we do not have any Parliament sittings on Fridays, or else we will also be forced to postpone it," she said.

       Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (PH-Setiawangsa) interjected, asking her opinion on reports that some schools had already declared Friday (Dec 3) a holiday.

       To this, Kok replied, "I will let the Johor MPs reply to this."

       She added that Kuala Lumpur is the capital and consideration for future declarations of public holidays should be made carefully after consulting various parties.

       "Or else, as a government, we can consider giving better prizes to our players," she added.

       This comes after Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim declared a public holiday for all Federal Territories on Friday (Dec 3), following the KL City FC win at the Malaysia Cup on Tuesday (Nov 30).

       In the final KL City FC defeated defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim 2-0.