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PUTRAJAYA – Visitors in their festive clothes are undeterred by the hour-long queue outside the Seri Perdana complex here to attend the prime minister’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house today.
Civil servant Halim Naim, 53, and his wife willingly travelled here from Bandar Baru Sentul because they miss the festive atmosphere since the country was under movement restrictions for the last two years.
“I am very excited because there has been no Hari Raya open house for two years and when I knew the prime minister would have one this year, I immediately asked my wife to come with me.
“Even though it is tiring to stand in line, I feel satisfied to take in the festive cheer again,” he told The Vibes’ sister portal Getaran.
For insurance agent trainer Bahiyah Mohd Kassim, 51, she has attended five open houses hosted by the sitting prime ministers and showed up here at 11am.
“Apart from coming here for the food, this is an exciting event as various races can celebrate Hari Raya together.”
Meanwhile, Ng Wook Chan, 61, was queuing with his family since 9am as he left his Kajang house 30 minutes earlier.
“We get to enjoy festive dishes such as lemang and ketupat with fellow Malaysians as well as the chance to meet the prime minister.
“We are very excited and hope that this kind of celebration can continue in the future.”
Crowds were seen outside the complex as early as 5am while doors were opened at 9.30am.
There are three access routes provided for senior citizens, the disabled and pregnant mothers.
All visitors had to go through security and temperature checks, and items such as umbrellas and scissors were not allowed.
Seeing the great response from the crowd, the prime minister has extended the celebration at his home to 6pm.
“Assalamualaikum, today’s open house will be extended until 6 in the evening, under the instructions of the prime minister to give an opportunity for the public (to attend).
“To those who have not visited, you are more than welcome to,” an aide to Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced to the media. – The Vibes, May 8, 2022
