From outdoors to indoors: Haze forces National Day Eve switch as PM’s address moves from Dataran Merdeka to PICC
The Malaysian government has relocated the National Day Eve Prime Minister's address from Dataran Merdeka to the Putrajaya International Convention Centre due to hazardous haze levels. Officials are monitoring air quality to ensure public safety while maintaining the spirit of the national celebrations.
Why it matters
Environmental conditions are directly impacting national events, highlighting the ongoing public health challenges posed by regional air pollution.
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 — The National Day 2026 Prime Minister’s Address scheduled for August 30 will be moved from Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur to the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) due to the current haze, the Communications Ministry said today.
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9.30pm, according to a media statement issued by the National Day and Malaysia Day Celebration Working Committee.
“The decision was made as an adjustment in view of the current situation, particularly to ensure the safety, health and comfort of guests and the public, as well as to ensure the smooth implementation of the ceremony,” the statement said.
“The relocation of the venue does not affect the content or spirit of the National Day 2026 celebrations, but is instead a responsible measure to ensure the ceremony can be held in a more controlled and comfortable environment.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in