Govt makes it mandatory for ministries, agencies to send 'as many as possible' for Anwar's Merdeka speech

Putrajaya has made it mandatory for ministries and government agencies to send as many representatives as possible to attend Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Merdeka Day address this afternoon, with civil servants urged to be around to be part of the official celebration tomorrow.

Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali said he expects more than 5,000 people to attend Anwar's speech at the Plenary Hall in the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.

Zuki also urged civil servants to stay longer in Putrajaya so that they could join the Merdeka Day celebrations tomorrow.

"For those who have come from far away, maybe they can extend their stay by one or two days to attend the prime minister's National Day address tomorrow, as well as the National Day celebration, which will also be held in Putrajaya on August 31," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Meanwhile, Zuki also ordered the Jalur Gemilang to be hoisted on government buildings.

This is the fifth time that Putrajaya will be the venue for the celebration, having done the same in 2003, 2005, 2018, and 2019.