Raya open house at Seri Perdana today
A huge crowd began arriving for the prime minister and ministers’ Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house today, some as early as 7.30am.
They saw the gate to the Seri Perdana complex in Putrajaya open at 9.30am, which was earlier than usual.
The kampung-style open house is from 10am to 4pm with a huge spread of Raya dishes, comprising more than 40 types of traditional dishes.
This is the first Raya open house hosted by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and his cabinet after he was appointed to the position on Aug 20 last year.
More than 5,000 guests had arrived at the open house as at 10am today.
They were required to queue at several canopies set up in the area before being allowed to enter the official residence of the prime minister.
A special lane is provided for senior citizens, people with disabilities, and pregnant women.
Guests were greeted by the prime minister and his wife, Muhaini Zainal Abidin, as well as other cabinet ministers, including Senior Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed, and Higher Education Minister Noraini Ahmad.
This is also the first Aidilfitri open house hosted by a prime minister and their cabinet since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country two years ago.
The last time was in 2019, which was hosted by then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his cabinet.
Meanwhile, guests entering the Seri Perdana complex were reminded by security not to bring prohibited items such as umbrellas and scissors into the premises.
Buses are provided at three drop-points every 15 minutes to pick up guests going to the open house. They are at the Putra Mosque, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque, and Putrajaya Sentral.
Md Firus Khan Nizamuddin, 42, from Sungai Pinang in Penang, was among the guests at the open house. Along with him were his wife, mother-in-law, and his six children.
“This is the fourth time my family and I attended an open house at Seri Perdana. We are happy to be able to meet the prime minister and other ministers whom we also saw on television,” he said when met by Bernama.
The lorry driver said they left Penang last night and stopped at the Tapah rest area to get ready and arrived at Seri Perdana at about 7.30am. The family members were all dressed in blue.
R Selvi, 50, from Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, considered herself a hardcore visitor at the Aidilfitri open house at Seri Perdana having attended the event more than 10 times.
"I have also shook hands with many leaders and am excited to see prime minister Ismail Sabri today,” said the woman, clad in a traditional Punjabi suit.
- Bernama
