Malaysia's National Day Parade will not be held this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Star reported.

Side programmes to continue

Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Malaysia's Senior Minister for Security and Minister of Defence, on Wednesday, July 8, said the decision was made to avoid the risk of the virus spreading at the large-scale event, Malay Mail reported.

He said it is "very difficult" to enforce social distancing among participants at such big gatherings, which number in the thousands at least.

But side programmes to celebrate the country's 63rd Merdeka Day on Aug. 31 are to go ahead, he added.

For instance, the flying of the Malaysian flag, called the Jalur Gemilang campaign, would carry on.

Some of these side programmes will take place in the days leading up to Aug. 31, while some will be held after that.

Malaysians celebrate their National Day on Aug. 31 as it was the day when Malaya became independent from the colonial British rulers.

Top image by Samsul Said/Getty Images