The Cabinet ministers' 2014 Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house has been cancelled out of respect to those who perished in the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 crash.

Initially it was scheduled to be held at the Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya.

The Prime Minister's Office, in a statement, said the Cabinet agreed with the decision in a meeting held today.

The Cabinet also agreed to cancel the 2014 Malaysia Aidilfitri open house event, organised by the Tourism and Culture Ministry that was scheduled to be held in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan.

According to the statement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Cabinet ministers would seek an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah on the morning of first Syawal before observing Aidilfitri prayers at Masjid Negara.

Jetliner MH17 was carrying 298 passengers, including 43 Malaysians, when it crashed believed to have been shot in Donetsk in east Ukraine last Thursday.

"Even though the nation is still saddened by this tragedy, Muslims are still obliged to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri after observing the fast during Ramadan.

"It is appropriate Malaysians of various races continue with the tradition of visiting one another to enhance ties and unity among ourselves," said the statement.

Hence, the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration this year can still be held with moderation and in an orderly manner.

It included celebrations by Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament and state assemblymen together with the people in their respective areas.

Such events at the ministerial level could also be held to enhance goodwill among co-workers without involving outside invitation, it added.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's Aidilfitri open house scheduled for July 29 at the Sri Pekembar Complex in Pagoh, Johor has been postponed to a later date.

According to a statement, the postponement was in line with the cabinet's decision to cancel the Cabinet ministers' open house in conjunction with this year's Hari Raya celebration scheduled to be held in Putrajaya.