KUALA LUMPUR: The National Day 2021 celebrations scheduled to take place on Aug 31 at Dataran Pahlawan Negara, Putrajaya, will go on as planned, says the Communications and Multimedia Ministry.

       Its secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek said despite facing the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and the present political development, the civil service would continue to work as usual.

       “Preparations for the National Day celebrations, which are almost 80% complete, will not be affected.

       “We will continue to monitor the development of Covid-19 cases from time to time,” he said when appearing as a guest on RTM’s Selamat Pagi Malaysia programme yesterday.

       Mohammad, who is the National Day and Malaysia Day 2021 organising committee chairman, acknowledged that in the current pandemic situation, several other countries had postponed celebrations involving the public.

       He said Malaysia had never postponed or cancelled the National Day celebrations since the country’s independence in 1957.

       “We are working towards a balance in the current situation.

       “As we should be achieving 50% herd immunity by Aug 31, we are confident that it is all right to go ahead with a small-scale celebration with strict compliance of the standard operating procedure, he said.

       “All participants, who are physically involved in the celebration, must be fully vaccinated and undergo a Covid-19 swab test three days before the full rehearsal.”

       No spectators will be allowed and the physical distancing rule, wearing of face mask and consistent sanitation practices will continue to be monitored.

       Mohammad urged the public to follow the live broadcast of the celebrations beginning at 7.30am. —Bernama