KUALA LUMPUR – The government has cancelled this year’s Aidilfitri open house celebrations as part of broader cost-saving measures introduced in response to the ongoing conflict affecting West Asia.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the Cabinet had agreed that no government agencies, Government-Linked Companies (GLCs), or Government-Linked Investment Companies (GLICs) will organise Aidilfitri open house events this year. The move is intended to demonstrate fiscal discipline and encourage more cautious spending.
“As a signal that leadership must take the first step in setting a positive example, I have decided together with the Cabinet that all government agencies, GLCs, and GLICs will not organise Aidilfitri open house celebrations.
“This sends a message that spending should be more careful and moderate,” he said during a special press conference in Putrajaya today.
Anwar explained that the decision reflects a precautionary approach aimed at safeguarding the country from potential economic strain if the regional situation worsens.
“Some ask that if the situation is still under control and essential goods such as oil and gas are still available and sufficient, why do we need to be cautious and save?
“I say this is a prudent step so that we do not later become trapped in a more serious situation,” he said.
In addition to cancelling festive events, the government is also limiting official overseas travel as part of the same cost-containment strategy.
Meanwhile, Anwar said the government will continue monitoring the situation in West Asia and will proceed with operations to bring Malaysians home if necessary.
“But of course we will continue monitoring because most of them are now able to use regular flight routes and return safely, and other arrangements will continue using the aircraft that are available,” he said.
Earlier today, 163 Malaysians stranded in several countries in the region safely arrived home at 12:32 p.m.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the group included umrah pilgrims from Saudi Arabia as well as Malaysians from Qatar, Jordan and Syria who were affected by disrupted flight schedules and airspace closures caused by the conflict.
The Malaysian evacuation operation involved a special charter flight by Malaysia Airlines (MH8503), which departed from Jeddah early this morning.
The flight also carried seven non-Malaysian family members, including five Thai citizens, one Indonesian and one Moroccan, who were allowed to travel with the group during the evacuation. – March 11, 2026