Malaysia calls for restrained Eid al-Fitr celebrations amid MidEast conflict
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysians to celebrate Aidilfitri more moderately this year, saying war in the Middle East and wider global disruptions were adding pressure to household finances ahead of the holiday.
Speaking at a Ramadan programme with community leaders in Permatang Pasir, Anwar said families should cut back on festive spending even as they prepared for one of the country’s biggest annual celebrations. Muslims in Malaysia will celebrate Aidilfitri on Saturday, March 21, according to the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal.
“Of course, we want to celebrate (Aidilfitri), but I would like to urge moderation,” Anwar said, according to Bernama. “Look at the wars taking place, do not assume nothing will happen. They are disrupting oil and gas… So we must save a little.” He suggested scaling back festive food preparations, including making fewer types of kuih and less ketupat.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said a thrifty approach was needed as supply chain strains and higher prices continued to weigh on households. His remarks came as the government had already moved to cushion holiday costs, including announcing an additional public holiday and a 15-day festive season price control scheme for essential goods.
The Middle East conflict was not the only strain hanging over Ramadan in Malaysia this year.
Health authorities also warned of a rise in tuberculosis cases during a period marked by packed bazaars, communal iftar meals and other crowded gatherings.
Malaysia recorded 596 new tuberculosis infections in Epidemiological Week 6 of 2026, bringing the national total to 3,161 cases so far this year, according to health ministry figures cited in multiple local reports. The increase was 9.8 per cent from the same period a year earlier, with Sabah recording the highest number of cases, followed by Selangor and Sarawak.
Officials said the increase partly reflected better screening and case detection, not only higher transmission. Still, the ministry urged vigilance, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. Tuberculosis is spread through the air and remains a public health concern during large gatherings, even though Ramadan activities themselves do not directly cause infection.
Together, the economic warning and the health alert gave this year’s Ramadan and Aidilfitri period in Malaysia a more cautious tone than usual.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
