SINGAPORE, March 7 -- Singapore's Workers' Party MP Jamus Lim has yesterday renewed calls for Thaipusam to be reinstated as a public holiday here, arguing that the holiday was unfairly removed and that its restoration is long overdue.

Speaking in the Singaporean Parliament, Lim highlighted how Thaipusam was originally recognised as a public holiday but was later removed during a 1968 decision to reduce the number of public holidays in Singapore.

"It is time to call in that promise made nearly six decades ago and reinstate Thaipusam as a national holiday," Lim said.

Lim also invoked a promise made then by former minister for law and economic development E.W. Barker, who stated that the number of holidays would be increased if Singapore ...