Malacca folks interviewed by Malaysiakini are split over the massive eight-hour wedding held by their Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam for his eldest son on Sunday.

NONE While several have defended the lavish function, which made it into the Malaysia Book of Records with more than 100,000 guests, others confessed discomfort with the ‘mega kenduri’ and questioned its real purpose, seeing it as a wastage that is politically motivated.

One of them, whom Malaysiakini interviewed at Malacca city, Zawiyah Abdul Rahman, 60 ( left ), said there was nothing wrong with the wedding reception.

“The function was in line with his (Mohd Ali) capacity as the number one leader in the state. What’s more, he was inviting the people to attend.

“The function was to celebrate his eldest son's marriage, and I think there was nothing wrong for him to hold a slightly bigger reception,” the housewife said.

NONE Mohd Khahar Mohtar (right) , 26, felt the function was to showcase the people's support for Ali.

“He is a leader and the attendance of the guests clearly showed the people give full support to him, particularly as the general election is just around the corner.

“For me, those who tried to raise the issue of the chief minister's lavishness are actually upset and have political motives,” said the executive in a private company.

However 38-year-old reporter Zaili Muhammad Imbiah held an opposite view, accusing the chief minister of abusing government machinery.

“I saw many policemen and personnel from the Road Transport Department deployed to control traffic at the wedding reception,” he said.

NONE Another woman, who only wanted to be known as Neo ( left ), opined that the wedding was meant to “show off” and there was a political agenda behind it.

Ahmad Firdaus Mohd Piah, 26, told Malaysiakini that the multi-million ringgit spent on the wedding should instead be used to benefit the people.

“It will be better to channel the money to help to fulfill the housing demands of poor people such as the application for hardcore poor housing projects (PPRT).

“There are still many PPRT applications which have not been met and many roads in villages which have not been tarred,” he added.

The event took place at Dewan Tun Ali in Bukit Katil and the host of people it attracted included the Selangor Sultan, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, several cabinet ministers and a number of other VIPs. Diva Siti Nurhaliza performed at the event.

mohd ali rustam Malaysia Book of Records certified the wedding feast to have the biggest crowd ever recorded at a wedding, outdoing Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's Aidilfitri open house event this year, which reportedly attracted 100,000 people.

Several opposition leaders have urged Mohd Ali ( left ) to reveal the cost of the grandiose event.

Ali's eldest son is Mohd Ridhwan, 26, while his wife is Nur Azieha Mohd Ali, also 26. They reportedly met 10 years ago at tuition class.

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