KOTA BHARU: Kelantan Umno has decided to cancel its state-level Aidilfitri open house this year in response to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's call to promote prudent spending.
Its chief, Datuk Seri Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub, said the cost-cutting measure was taken as a precaution against potential financial strain stemming from global economic uncertainty.
"Besides the open house, a planned iftar gathering at the end of Ramadan has also been postponed," he told reporters after a Ramadan moreh event with Kelantan media practitioners on Sunday night (March 15).
On March 11, Anwar urged all ministries, government agencies and government-linked companies (GLCs) to refrain from organising Aidilfitri open houses this year as part of austerity measures amid global economic volatility triggered by conflict in West Asia.
The Prime Minister said the Cabinet-backed decision was meant to send a clear signal that the government is committed to adopting a more moderate and prudent approach to spending.
Tensions in West Asia have escalated since Feb 28 following attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran, which were followed by Tehran's retaliatory strikes against US interests in Gulf countries.
Commenting on the state economy, Ahmad Jazlan said Kelantan's economic growth remained weak without support from the federal government and the private sector.
He added that Kelantan's development is often compared with more advanced states such as Johor, as Pahang had recorded revenue exceeding RM1bil, and Melaka has established itself as a viable tourism-driven state. – Bernama
