The Office of the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal confirmed that the new moon marking the start of Ramadan in Malaysia will be sighted on the evening of Tuesday, February 17. The Conference of Rulers agreed that the beginning of fasting will be determined using both rukyah (visual observation) and hisab (astronomical calculation), with the official declaration to be broadcast via radio and television.
Moon sighting committees will operate at 29 locations nationwide, including prominent sites such as Baitul Hilal at the Sultan Ismail Building in Pontian, Johor, and the Al-Khawarizmi Astronomy Complex in Kampung Balik Batu, Tanjung Bidara, Melaka. Other key observation points include Telok Kemang in Port Dickson, Bukit Melawati in Kuala Selangor, Bukit Jugra in Banting, and the Selangor Observatory in Sabak Bernam.
In Perak, observers will be at Pantai Pasir Panjang in Manjung, while Penang sightings take place at the Sheikh Tahir Astronomy Centre in Pantai Aceh. Kedah locations include Kampung Pulau Sayak in Kuala Muda, Pemandangan Indah in Langkawi, and Menara Alor Setar.
For Terengganu, observation sites are Bukit Besar in Kuala Terengganu, Bukit Geliga in Kemaman, Pulau Perhentian in Besut, and the Kusza Observatory in Setiu. Kelantan’s locations include Bukit Peraksi in Pasir Puteh, Bukit Kampong Tembeling in Kuala Krai, and Menara Bangunan SEDC in Kota Bharu.
In East Malaysia, moon sightings will be conducted at the Miri Astronomy Complex, Teluk Bandung in Kuching, and Bintulu in Sarawak. Sabah’s locations include the Al-Biruni Observatory in Tanjung Dumpil, Menara Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and the Labuan International Campus.
Additional key locations across the country include Bukit Tanjong Batu in Nenasi, Gunung Berincang in Cameron Highlands, Menara Kuantan 188 in Pahang, Menara Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya International Convention Centre, and Menara Pandang at Masjid Al-Hussain in Kuala Perlis.
This nationwide effort ensures the Ramadan moon is sighted accurately, allowing Muslims across Malaysia to begin their fasting in unison.
