Thousands of people thronged the Hari Raya open house hosted by Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) in Kuching today.

An estimated 15,000 people, including members of parliament, state assemblymen community leaders, non-governmental organisations and foreign tourists came to partake of the festivity.

taib mahmud The chief minister, wearing a purple baju Melayu, was in a jovial mood as he greeted the guests from all walks of life.

Joining him at the event were state Housing Minister Abang Johari Abang Open, Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management, Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Special Adviser in the Chief Minister's Office, Adenan Satem.

The open house was to have started at 11.30am but well-wishers from near and far queued up at the entrance much earlier.

A bus shuttle service was provided to the BCCK, about 8km from the city, from two pick-up points.

Guests were treated to a spread of local favourites like rendang, lemang, satay, and kek lapis Sarawak.

A group of Orang Ulu traveled from their longhouse at Baram in Miri Division to BCCK to extend their Hari Raya wishes to the chief minister.

Beside that, members of the Sarawak Chiang Chuan Association also greeted Taib and pledged their support for him.

- Bernama