Muslims in Malaysia will start fasting for Ramadan on Thursday after the new moon was sighted at 29 locations nationwide.

KUALA LUMPUR: Muslims in Malaysia will begin the holy month of Ramadan by fasting this Thursday.

The Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, announced the start date in a live broadcast on Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).

He stated that the date was set by the order of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, following the consent of the Rulers.

The decision followed the traditional moon-sighting process conducted at 29 locations across the country.

Key observation sites included Baitul Hilal at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Pontian, Johor, and Kompleks Falak Al-Khawarizmi in Kampung Balik Batu, Tanjung Bidara, Melaka.

Other significant locations were the Kuala Lumpur Tower and the Putrajaya International Convention Centre in Putrajaya.

Observations also took place at Kompleks Baitul Hilal Telok Kemang in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan.

Further sightings were conducted at Bukit Melawati in Kuala Selangor and Bukit Jugra in Banting, Kuala Langat.

The final official location was the Selangor Observatory in Sabak Bernam.

 The Sun Malaysia