For first time, PM holds monthly assembly indoors

PUTRAJAYA – True to his word, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has moved the venue for the Prime Minister’s Department’s (PMD) monthly assembly from Dataran Perdana to a more convenient, indoor location.

Breaking from convention, this month’s assembly was instead held at the Dewan De’ Seri Endon multipurpose hall at Puspanitapuri, here.

According to two PMD officers, this is the first time the assembly is conducted outside Perdana Putra, the official complex of the prime minister’s office.

All past prime ministers have held monthly assemblies at Dataran Perdana, an outdoor venue, since the government moved its administrative capital from Kuala Lumpur to Putrajaya over two decades ago.

Anwar’s decision to hold the assembly indoors follows his remark last month when addressing the civil servants that the monthly programme be moved from the usual outdoor venue.

He said he took pity on his officers who had to put up with the hot weather as he delivered his speech.

Anwar said he had at times asked Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali if the assembly must be held outdoors under the sun.

“Must this assembly be held under the sun? Are there no other alternatives?” he joked.

“Can’t we do it somewhere shady? I feel guilty when I speak too long because it is hot,” he said previously. – The Vibes, February 7, 2023