DESPITE HYPE, only a moderate crowd came to see Najib in Penang

GEORGE TOWN - Datuk Seri Najib Razak today spent about two hours mingling with over 10,000 guests at the Malaysia Christmas Open House 2013 at Padang Kota Lama here.

Clad in a red-coloured batik shirt and black pants, the prime minister arrived at the venue at 3.30 pm, accompanied by Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz, Minister in Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Najib, Nazri, Joseph and Guan Eng then placed the replica of a giant candy on the stage, symbolising the launch of the open house.

At the event, the prime minister also presented an allocation of RM10,000 to four non-governmental organisations, which had been active in organising cultural activities in the state.

WOW! So wonderful ... but is it reality?

A visitor Halim Saad, 42, who came with his wife and three kids, described himself as being lucky to have the opportunity to get upclose and personal with the prime minister. –

"This is the first time we get upclose and personal with Najib and join the celebration," he told Bernama.

For a tourist from Canada, Ivvarson Kyle, 34, he really enjoyed and did not feel lonely in celebrating Christmas here even without his family and friends.

"It was delightful to see how people in Malaysia shared the celebration in a harmonious environment...I never feel alone here," he said.

An Indonesian student, Irene Yofi, 36, said even without her family, she still enjoyed the celebration here.

"Although Malaysia is an Islamic state, the people and the leaders are exercising tolerance...they have open house for almost all national festivals where the people celebrate together, regardless of their backgrounds," she said.

For a couple from Holland, who wished to be known only as Jeanatte and Clarke, it was different to experience Christmas celebration without the snow and cold weather.

"It's very different from our country where the weather is so cold...today's weather is a real blessing ....we just arrived here yesterday and very happy to found this (open house)," said Clarke. Various

Penang traditional dishes and delicacies were served to the guests at the event, including laksa, fish head curry, char kuey teow, briyani rice, cendol and pasembor.

They were also entertained by songs performed by local singers, including Awie, Datuk Jamal Abdillah, Nassier Wahab, Salwa and Suki Low. -- BERNAMA