From outdoors to indoors: Haze forces National Day Eve switch as PM’s address moves from Dataran Merdeka to PICC

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.

“The government will continue to monitor the haze situation and air quality developments from time to time,” it added.

The decision comes as haze has continued to affect several parts of the country this past week, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) reading over 100 in over a dozen areas.

Sarawak and the Greater Klang Valley – which also includes Putrajaya – have been recording some of the worst readings, at times crossing 200.

Good API air quality is set at 0–50, moderate at 51–100, unhealthy at 101–200, very unhealthy at 201–300 and hazardous at above 300.

The government had on Wednesday said it was reviewing the scale and location of this year’s National Day celebrations because of the deteriorating air quality, although cancellation was not being considered.

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the review covered both the Aug 30 National Day eve programme at Dataran Merdeka and the main Aug 31 celebration in Putrajaya, with health and safety the key considerations.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had also expressed hope that the haze would ease in time for the National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations.

“We pray to Almighty God that the haze remains under control so that the celebrations can take place,” he said on Wednesday.

The committee said a decision on the National Day parade scheduled for August 31 would be made based on the prevailing conditions and advice from the Health Ministry, Department of Environment and Malaysian Meteorological Department.

The public has also been advised to remain alert to the latest haze situation and obtain health information and advice through the Health Ministry’s official channels.

The Malaysian and Indonesian governments also agreed earlier this week to step up preventive measures against transboundary haze, with authorities warning that the El Niño phenomenon was expected to intensify towards October.