By Rafiqi Yusoff
KUALA LUMPUR, 19 April 2022: Prime Minister, Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the government is sticking to its stand to allow Malaysians to ‘balik kampung’ (return to hometown) to celebrate Aidil Fitri, according to Malay Mail report.
In fact, Ismail Sabri said, he had advised those he met, to celebrate Aidil Fitri with their families after two years of not celebrating the festival in their hometowns and villages following implementation of the movement control order to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also said that as Prime Minister he will do things differently this year by not holding an open house at the Seri Perdana on the first day of Aidil Fitri, which is the norm for every Aidil Fitri, to give people the opportunity to celebrate the festival with their families first.
“I mentioned to them (whom I met) that their children can return home to celebrate (Aidil Fitri) this year. I believe many ‘balik kampung’ on the first day of Ramadan because the roads were badly congested then.”
“This time, to give people the opportunity to ‘balik kampung” for Raya, we will hold the Prime Minister’s Open House on 8 May. Do ‘balik kampung’ to celebrate Raya with family first, because the eve of Raya has been awaited eagerly, to prepare for the celebration together,” he said.
Ismail Sabri said this when met after presenting donations from the Petronas Foundation to the underprivileged including the poor, persons with disabilities (PwDs), orphans and single mothers at the Al-Muttaqin Mosque, Kampung Mengkarak near Bera today.
However, in the excitement of returning to their hometown, the Prime Minister asked the public to continue to exercise self-control even though a lot of flexibility has been given after the country entered the transition to the endemic phase on 1 April.
“Although self-control is not mandatory, the wearing of face masks is still mandatory. I hope everyone can continue practising self-control to ensure their own safety as well as of their family members and others even if there is no more physical distancing required,” he said.
Muslims in Malaysia are likely to celebrate Aidil Fitri on 3 May. ***
Source: Malay Mail