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THE government will grant an additional public holiday for Aidilfitri this year to help citizens better plan their festive celebrations and travel, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced.
The move ensures Malaysians will enjoy a three-day public holiday regardless of whether the start of the Islamic festival falls on a Friday or Saturday.
Anwar explained that the extra holiday would be adjusted depending on the confirmed date of 1 Syawal, the first day of Aidilfitri.
“Whether Aidilfitri is celebrated on Friday or Saturday, there is no need to worry — we will provide an additional Hari Raya holiday,” he said.
“If Hari Raya falls on Friday, the additional public holiday will be on Monday, 23 March. Should it fall on Saturday, the additional holiday will be on Friday, 20 March,” he added.
He said the early announcement was intended to allow Malaysians to organise travel plans and family visits during the busy festive period.
“We are announcing this early so the public can plan their Aidilfitri holidays,” he said.
The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of National Consumers’ Day 2026 in Kota Kinabalu.
Also present at the event were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali.
The additional holiday effectively extends the usual two-day Aidilfitri break to three days, providing greater flexibility for the annual balik kampung tradition, when millions of Malaysians travel to their hometowns to celebrate with family.
During his visit to Sabah, Anwar is also scheduled to attend a series of engagements, including the official launch of National Consumers’ Day, a Mini Convention of Parti Keadilan Rakyat and the opening of its state-level annual meeting.
The Prime Minister is expected to conclude his visit by meeting the public at a Ramadan bazaar in Sepanggar before attending the MADANI Iftar gathering with Sabah residents at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, where he will deliver an address and perform the Maghrib prayers in congregation.
The visit forms part of the government’s broader outreach during the Ramadan period as preparations intensify nationwide for the upcoming Aidilfitri celebrations.
Federal Government Absorbs Rising Diesel Subsidy Costs For Sabah And Sarawak
Speaking at the National Consumers' Day 2026 event in Kota Kinabalu, Anwar added the federal government has been forced to absorb sharply higher subsidy costs amid rising global fuel prices and ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting energy markets, even though such support is not stipulated under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
He said diesel consumption is particularly high in East Malaysia, making it necessary for the government to maintain subsidies in the region even after fuel price adjustments were implemented in Peninsular Malaysia.
"Diesel is indeed a major issue for us. We have to absorb the cost. If the price goes up, it will be difficult.
"People travelling from here to Kundasang will complain. People in Tawau will complain too, because diesel usage is high there. The Malaysian government takes this into account.
"That is why when we raised diesel prices in Peninsular Malaysia two years ago, we did not increase diesel prices in Sabah and Sarawak, because diesel usage is higher here.
"However, diesel prices globally have increased — not just increased, but surged. So, who should pay for it? The government has to pay.
"Sometimes people give the impression that nothing is being done, that the prime minister does not care about the people of Sabah. That is not true.
"No one asked for this. No one threatened us. But it is our responsibility to ease the burden of the people," he said.
Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, said the cost of diesel subsidies for Sabah and Sarawak doubled from RM2 billion in 2025 to RM4.6 billion this year, reflecting the increasing financial burden on the federal government.
He added that negotiations over matters related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 were still ongoing, with four meetings already held between the federal government and leaders from the two states.
The prime minister also touched on the broader social message of Ramadan, saying the fasting month should encourage greater empathy towards those facing hardship.
"Fasting is meant to make us aware of the struggles of the poor," he said. - March 15, 2026
