He said the decision was taken in solidarity with the Palestinian people currently suffering from Israeli aggression, and also to respect the victims affected by the floods in several states.

“However, at the state government and local authority levels, there may be celebration programmes suited to their local environments,” he told reporters.

Earlier, it was reported that Jakim, the Islamic development department, will hold spiritual programmes on new year’s eve on Sunday (Dec 31) at the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as well as at the Putra Mosque and Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque.

Separately, Fahmi said 53 of 130 communication transmission stations have resumed operations after being affected by floods in Sabah, Kelantan, Pahang, Selangor and Terengganu. The rest are still under repair.