No Aidilfitri open house prudent move amid economic uncertainty, says Wan Azizah

KUALA LUMPUR (March 14): Malaysia needs to exercise caution in managing costs and preparing for global economic uncertainties, including the possibility of rising oil prices, said the wife of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

She said careful measures are necessary given that Malaysia is a trading nation vulnerable to changes in the global economy and markets.

“We are a trading nation, so we need to be careful to ensure that these conditions do not harm our economy,” she told reporters today when asked to comment on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s decision not to hold Aidilfitri open house this year.

Earlier, Wan Azizah, who is also the Bandar Tun Razak Member of Parliament, officiated at the Harapan Ramadan 2026 Programme organised by the Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, in collaboration with CIMB Islamic Bank.

In her speech, she said the country’s development cannot rely solely on government policies but requires close cooperation between the corporate sector, community institutions and dakwah organisations.

She added that such collaboration is crucial to ensure welfare efforts for those in need are carried out more comprehensively.

“Programmes like Harapan Ramadan emphasise building spiritual and social well-being in the community, while ensuring the welfare of local communities is always safeguarded,” she said.

She added that CIMB Islamic, together with YADIM, has allocated RM1 million this Ramadan to assist 6,000 recipients nationwide through the distribution of 6,000 Harapan Ramadan hampers throughout the month.

Wan Azizah said such welfare initiatives are particularly meaningful given that more than three million households in the B40 category require ongoing support.

The Harapan Ramadan 2026 Programme today saw the distribution of Ramadan hampers to 100 recipients, including the underprivileged, senior citizens, single mothers and orphans in the Bandar Tun Razak area.

At the event, Wan Azizah also witnessed the handing over of a RM2,000 cheque from YADIM to eligible recipients. – Bernama