KUALA LUMPUR: State governments have cancelled or postponed Hari Raya open house events as a mark of respect for victims of the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH17.
Even though the whole nation is saddened by the tragedy, Muslims are still obliged to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri after observing the fast during Ramadan.
This year's Aidilfitri celebrations can still be held in moderation and with decorum.
The cancellation or postponement is also in line with the decision to cancel the Cabinet ministers' 2014 Aidilfitri open house, which was announced by the Prime Minister's Office.
The Cabinet also agreed to cancel the 2014 Malaysia Aidilfitri open house event, organised by the Tourism and Culture Ministry scheduled to be held in Rembau, Negri Sembilan.
MH17 was carrying 298 passengers, including 43 Malaysians, when it crashed, believed to be shot down, in Donetsk, east Ukraine last Thursday.
In JOHOR BARU, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled said the open house would now be held at his official residence in Saujana on Aug 3.
In MALACCA, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron announced that the the function would now be held on Aug 9 from 10.30am to 4pm at the Melaka International Trade Centre here.
In KUALA TERENGGANU, Mentri Besar Terengganu Datuk Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman said the open house at his official residence, Seri Iman scheduled for July 28 was cancelled.
In LABUAN, the cancellation of the event was a directive from the Federal Territories Ministry in line with the cabinet's decision, said Labuan MP Datuk Rosman Isli.
The open house is held annually by Labuan Corporation with people from all walks of life, political, community and government leaders being invited to celebrate the event.
In IPOH, a statement from the Perak Mentri Besar Communication and Media Unit said the state government respected the feelings of the families and friends of the MH17 passengers and crew.
In SHAH ALAM, Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the whole nation felt sad over the tragedy but Muslims were still required to celebrate Aidilfitri after observing the fast for one month.
In PADANG BESAR, Perlis Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man said the state government was also adhering to the federal government's decision in cancelling the event.
"For this year, there is no Hari Raya open house," he said when met after the Raya cake presentation by Perlis Raja Muda Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail to agencies on duty at the Malaysia/Thailand this Hari Raya here.
In KOTA KINABALU, Sabah State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman Aman announced the cancellation of the chief minister and cabinet ministers' Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house.
In GEORGE TOWN, the Penang government said the event was cancelled out of respect to the crash victims of flight MH17.
In KUANTAN, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob's open house at Dewan Jubli Perak Sultan Ahmad Shah here, was also cancelled because the state government was sympathethic over the incident. - Bernama
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