Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil, however, said the celebrations this year would be postponed to September.

“This is to prioritise the installation of Sultan Ibrahim and related events which will take place on July 20,” Fahmi, who is also the communications minister, told reporters today.

Sultan Ibrahim took his oath of office as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong for a five-year term on Jan 31.

He assumed the throne after the tenure of Pahang Ruler Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah ended on Jan 30.

Fahmi said special prayers will be held at the National Mosque two days before the installation.

On a separate issue, he expressed hope that there would be no repeat of an incident in which Facebook posts by the media covering Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with a Hamas leader this week were removed by Meta Platforms.

He said social media companies should respect statements by government leaders, including the prime minister.

Earlier today, Meta restored the Facebook posts saying they were removed in error.