Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob having a light moment with the residents of Kampung Mengkarak during a visit to the Kampung Mengkarak Mosque in conjunction with the ‘Jelajah Semarak Ramadan’ programme in Bera April 16, 2022. — Bernama pic
BERA, April 16 — The government is sticking to its stand to allow Malaysians to ‘balik kampung‘ (return to hometown) to celebrate Aidilfitri, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
In fact, Ismail Sabri said, he had advised those he met, to celebrate Aidilfitri with their families after two years of not celebrating the festival in their hometowns and villages following the implementation of the movement control order to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also said that as the Prime Minister he will do things differently this year by not holding an open house at the Seri Perdana on the first day of Aidilfitri, which is the norm for every Aidilfitri, to give the 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 (Aidilfitri) this year. I believe many were ‘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 May 8. 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. — Bernama