Anwar hopes extra Aidilfitri public holiday and price scheme help Malaysians travel home and manage festive costs

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced new initiatives to assist the public ahead of Aidilfitri.

In a post on the X platform, Anwar expressed hope that an additional public holiday and the Aidilfitri Festive Season Maximum Price Scheme (SHMMP) would ease the people’s cost of living.

He stated these measures aim to keep goods reasonably priced and facilitate travel for those returning to their hometowns.

“May the coming Syawal bring greater happiness, blessings and wellbeing to all Malaysians,” he said.

The government agreed to grant one extra holiday in appreciation of the people’s hard work during Ramadan.

The date of this additional holiday depends on the declaration of 1 Syawal.

If Aidilfitri falls on Friday, March 20, the extra holiday will be on Monday, March 23.

If it falls on Saturday, March 21, the additional holiday will be on the preceding Friday, March 20.

Meanwhile, the Aidilfitri SHMMP 2026 will be enforced from March 14 to 28 to control prices of essential goods.

This year’s scheme covers 27 types of items, one more than the 26 items included last year.

 The Sun Malaysia