Aidilfitri bazaars nationwide are allowed to operate until 2am beginning Saturday, Senior Minister for Security Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.
He said the extension of operating hours was allowed after listening to the appeals from bazaar traders.
“We were informed that visitors will only go out after isyak and tarawih prayers, and when we allow them (traders) to operate until midnight, their business hours are too short,” he said in a news conference.
On SOPs for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration, Ismail said these are being studied and will be announced next week after a presentation by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia or Jakim.
Meanwhile, he said any decision relating to the closure of schools due to Covid-19 cases should go through the education and health ministries.
He said the education ministry would decide whether to close or reopen schools based on risk assessments by the health ministry.
“I hope state governments do not make decisions on their own because this is under the jurisdiction of the education ministry,” he added.