PUTRAJAYA, March 11 -- The government has decided that all ministries, government agencies, and government-linked companies will not hold Aidilfitri open house celebrations this year as part of a move to promote more prudent spending amid global economic uncertainty.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the decision was agreed upon during a Cabinet meeting earlier today and was meant to signal the need for greater fiscal discipline across the public sector.

"As a sign that the leadership should begin taking more positive steps, I have decided together with the Cabinet that all government agencies, GLCs and GLICs will not organise Aidilfitri open house celebrations," he said at a special press conference, which was broadcast live...