Penang consumer association supports Malaysia PM Anwar’s move to cancel New Year celebrations

PUTRAJAYA - The Consumers Association of Penang on Thursday welcomed the decision by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration to cancel New Year’s Eve celebrations in Kuala Lumpur.

Datuk Seri Anwar had announced that the traditional grand celebrations at Dataran Merdeka will not be held this year due to flood issues creating hardships for Malaysians.

The association urged other states to follow the federal government’s move and not hold New Year’s Eve celebrations.

“These celebrations are a total waste of money, and funds can instead be channelled to people who have been affected by floods,” said association official N.V. Subbarow.

Mr Anwar on Wednesday also announced immediate aid of RM50 million (S$15.2 million) each for two states, Kelantan and Terengganu, to help those affected by the floods.

“We hope that this RM50 million allocation will benefit the people of both states, along with the RM1,000 and RM10,000 given to flood victims,” he said, after visiting evacuees at a secondary school being used as a flood relief centre.

Bernama news agency reported that the flood situation in Terengganu, Pahang and Perak has improved, with the number of victims taking shelter falling.

But as the monsoon rain currently affecting the northern states shifts southwards, Johor residents are also preparing to face rising water levels.

The last grand-scale New Year’s Eve celebration in the capital Kuala Lumpur was held in 2019, with the pre-pandemic display of fireworks and live performances cancelled for the past few years.

Last year’s New Year celebrations were replaced by Islamic worship events, according to the Malay Mail, as a sign of respect and sympathy for flood victims in several states in Malaysia.
THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK