Friday, 20 March 2026
BY TNS NEWS TEAM
Hari Raya eve. The nation holds its breath. Tomorrow, Malaysia celebrates.
CONFIRMED – HARI RAYA FALLS TOMORROW, SATURDAY 21 MARCH
Malaysia’s 33 million people woke up this morning with certainty. The Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad, announced in a nationally televised broadcast on Thursday evening that the crescent of Syawal was not sighted at any of the 29 designated observation points nationwide, completing Ramadan at 30 days.
Under Malaysia’s dual method of rukyah (visual sighting) and hisab (astronomical calculation), 1 Syawal falls on Saturday, 21 March 2026.
The holiday structure is now set: Friday 20 March is a public holiday, Saturday 21 March marks Hari Raya Aidilfitri Day 1, Sunday 22 March Day 2, and Monday 23 March a replacement holiday. Malaysians will enjoy a four-day festive break, with work resuming on Tuesday 24 March. Bursa Malaysia and its subsidiaries will remain closed over the same period.
Tonight marks the final night of Ramadan. Mosques nationwide will resonate with takbir as Muslims mark the end of the fasting month and welcome Syawal, a deeply spiritual moment shared across homes and communities.
RECORD FUEL PRICES GREET A NATION ON THE MOVE
Malaysians travelling home for Hari Raya are doing so amid the highest fuel prices in years.
For 19–25 March, RON97 has risen 70 sen to RM4.55 per litre, while diesel in Peninsular Malaysia has increased by 80 sen to RM4.72. Unsubsidised RON95 remains at RM3.27 per litre, while diesel in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan stays at RM2.15.
The pace of increase is striking. Within two weeks, diesel prices in Peninsular Malaysia have surged by RM1.60 per litre — a 44% jump driven by the Iran war–linked energy shock. RON97 has climbed approximately 18% over the same period.
The Ministry of Finance continues to moderate the pass-through of global price increases, while maintaining the Budi95 subsidised rate at RM1.99 per litre. However, the subsidy comes at a significant cost — estimated at RM2 billion monthly, as highlighted by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Enforcement against cross-border diesel smuggling has been intensified, while over 400,000 public transport and logistics vehicles remain protected under targeted subsidy schemes to contain broader cost pressures.
Watch Wednesday, 25 March: The next fuel price adjustment will provide the first post-Raya signal. If global crude remains above US$100 per barrel, further increases cannot be ruled out.
HIGHWAYS EASING — FINAL WAVE OF TRAVEL COMPLETES
The final phase of the balik kampung exodus is nearing completion.
Today marks the second and final day of the heavy vehicle ban on Peninsular Malaysia’s highways for the outbound leg (19–20 March), with the return phase scheduled for 28–29 March. The measure aims to ease congestion and reduce accident risks during peak festive travel.
Traffic volumes have surged to an estimated 3.5 million vehicles nationwide — consistent with major festive periods. The 50% toll discount, in effect since Wednesday, ends tonight at 11.59pm for Class 1 private vehicles.
Op Selamat 26 remains fully activated, with police and enforcement officers deployed across key hotspots. Authorities continue to stress road safety, noting that most festive accidents stem from driver fatigue and human error.
By late afternoon, traffic is expected to ease significantly as most travellers reach their destinations. Tonight, the roads fall quiet as families gather for the final night of Ramadan.
AN AUSTERITY RAYA — NO GOVERNMENT OPEN HOUSES
This year’s most striking shift is not the date of Hari Raya — but how it will be observed.
For the first time in recent memory, there will be no government-hosted Hari Raya open houses nationwide. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has directed ministries, agencies, GLCs and GLICs to stand down from organising celebrations, citing fiscal prudence amid ongoing economic pressures linked to global energy volatility.
The directive has extended to state levels. Negeri Sembilan has cancelled its official celebrations, while others have scaled down significantly.
Hari Raya open houses have long served as a key social and political tradition — bridging leaders and citizens across communities. Their absence sends a clear signal: the current economic climate demands visible restraint.
Private celebrations, however, continue as always — with the spirit of Raya firmly rooted in the people.
BOTTOM LINE
Malaysia enters Hari Raya Aidilfitri 1447H carrying real economic weight — record fuel prices, rising subsidy costs, scaled-back official celebrations, and a global energy crisis with no clear resolution.
And yet, tonight, all of that pauses.
Families gather. Takbir rises. Tables are set.
The policy debates return on Tuesday. Tonight belongs to Syawal.
From the TNS News desk — to all our Muslim readers and to every Malaysian sharing in this moment of togetherness:
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri 1447H, Maaf Zahir dan Batin.
May this blessed celebration bring peace, forgiveness and joy to every home.
— TNS News | tnsnews.com.my