Happy Workers’ Day or Labour Day to all of you, my friends!
Workers’ Day or Labour Day is a public holiday observed by many countries in the world. Malaysia began observing it in 1972 after an announcement by the late Deputy Prime Minister, Ismail Abdul Rahman. So we must thank the late Ismail for making today a public holiday in Malaysia.
Did you wake up early? Don’t feel bad if you woke up late because today is a public holiday.
It is good for us to take a break from work today and spend quality time with our family members. All work and no fun, after all, makes Jack a dull boy. In today’s competitive world, nobody wants to be dull Jack.
Since today is also the Telematch @Sports Fun Day for the Kelab Kebajikan (Welfare Club) of New Sarawak Tribune & Utusan Sarawak, you can find me today from morning till late afternoon at Le’ Park (behind Kuching Civic Centre).
I am there to support the club’s activity. I am also bringing along some family members to make sure that I am spending at least some quality time with them.
I am no runner, so don’t expect me to take part in the races. I am, however, looking forward to the aerobic warm up workout; there is nothing like a cardio workout to get the blood flowing and the muscles warmed up for the subsequent strenous activities.
I am no runner and have never been a runner but I will be there at the Telematch @Sports Fun Day to shout and cheer the runners on. I will also be there for the group photo and to clap for the winners during the prize-giving ceremony. That is the truth straight from my heart!
It is good for clubs to organise activities for their members at least once a year. The Telematch @Sports Fun Day for the Kelab Kebajikan (Welfare Club) of New Sarawak Tribune & Utusan Sarawak, for instance, will definitely promote closer ties between the staff of both newspapers and their family members.
Instead of spending Workers’ Day at Le’Park, some of my colleagues have opted to spend the day lazing around at home or just window shopping.
In today’s modern world, there are many interesting things you can do at home. You can, for instance, watch movies, game shows and documentaries or even shop for clothes, shoes and many other things online.
You can also opt to do none of these things. You can switch off your phone and sleep whole day long and really refresh your body and your mind. I did that once – by sleeping from morning until late evening – when I was home alone!
Now, I cannot sleep past 11am without my mother, an Alzheimer’s patient, knocking repeatedly every few minutes on my door and my window.
There are tins of beverages and biscuits and packets of instant noodles on the kitchen table but the old lady has forgotten how to make her own drinks and cook the noodles.
Today, many parents with young children will, no doubt, be spending the day either at the seaside, enjoying the sea, the sun and the sand or at the shopping malls, enjoying the air-conditioners and the food there.
A friend I know is having a good time at the beach at Sematan. I prefer the beaches at Lundu and have fond memories of spending my holidays there with my family members and collecting seashells.
Today, all over the world, there will be many speeches on Labour Day. We will treasure some and forget the rest.
What is important, my friends, is to enjoy Workers’ Day your own way and have lots of fun in the process. Once again, Happy Workers’ Day!
