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).

“Based on the practice since 2018, invitations to the National Day Celebration are not automatically extended to former prime ministers.

“However, the attendance of any former leaders is not prevented and can be arranged through an application by the party concerned, in accordance with the established procedures and management of official invitations,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Secretariat also informed that the Prime Minister’s Office had received an application from Dr Mahathir for the Overseas Rest Facility, stating that he was scheduled to be abroad from Aug 28 to 31, 2026.

The application was approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in accordance with the provisions on the Remuneration of Former Prime Ministers under the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980 [Act 237]. — Bernama