Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced that there won’t be a Federal-level Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at his official residence at Seri Perdana this year as part of cost-cutting measures for the country.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, revealed the matter during his speech at the Finance Ministry’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya earlier today.
No Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at Seri Perdana for the 2nd consecutive year
In his speech, the Prime Minister asserted that he had decided that for this year’s Aidilfitri celebration, he wouldn’t be holding a “grand ceremony” in Seri Perdana as what was done by previous Prime Ministers.
Instead, Anwar said that he would be joining some of the celebrations organised by State Governments and Ministries, just like how he has been doing during this Ramadan. The Prime Minister said that this way, there won’t be a huge hit to the country’s spending.
This is not something new for the Prime Minister as Anwar also didn’t hold a Federal-level open house at Seri Perdana last year for similar reasons.
Instead, Anwar held a series of Madani Malaysia Open Houses in several states, most notably in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu last year, which some Opposition Members of Parliament (MP) claimed to be a political move.
It is unknown whether the Federal Government will do a similar Madani Malaysia Open House nationwide again this year.
Anwar reminds government agencies and civil servants to not spend lavishly on Hari Raya celebrations
For illustration purposes
Besides that, during this speech, the Prime Minister also urged government agencies and civil servants to be reasonable when celebrating Aidilfitri and to not spend lavishly.
Stressing that Aidilfitri is about fitrah or one’s innate nature, Anwar wants the treasury and government agencies to show a good example and not compete with each other to show who’s more impressive.
For illustration purposes
Watch the Prime Minister’s full speech here:
So, what do you guys think about there being no Federal-level open house for 2 consecutive years?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Also read: PMX Makes U-Turn, Announces RM500 Special Hari Raya Aid for Grade 56 Civil Servants & Below
