National Day secretariat: Automatic invitations for ex-PMs stopped since 2018
The Malaysian National Day secretariat clarified that invitations for former prime ministers are not automatic, following public discourse regarding Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's attendance. The secretariat noted that attendance can be arranged through formal application procedures.
Why it matters
This clarifies administrative protocol regarding high-level state events and the status of former political leaders in Malaysia.
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 — Official invitations to National Day celebrations are not automatically extended to former prime ministers based on the set practice since 2018, the National Day Celebration 2026 Secretariat said yesterday.
The secretariat issued the clarification after questions were raised about former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s attendance at yesterday’s celebration at Dataran Putrajaya.
2026 National Day and Malaysia Day Celebration Working Committee chairman and Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah said the procedures for invitations to major official Federal Government events are managed by the Prime Minister’s Department’s Protocol and International Conference Secretariat Division (BIUPA).
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