Aidilfitri open houses make comeback after 2-year lapse

 

After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the practice of holding open houses sprang back to life today with multi-racial crowds gathering to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

With the easing of standard operating procedures after the country entered the transition to endemic phase on April 1, many quarters including the menteri besar in several states took the opportunity to hold an open house.

In Johor, Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar and the Permaisuri of Johor, Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah, graced the open house of Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi at Saujana.

Also present were Tunku Mahkota of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and his consort Yang Amat Mulia Che’ Puan Besar Khaleeda Bustamam.

Also in attendance were Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong, who is Ayer Hitam member of Parliament, Johor state executive councillors and government heads of department.

Some 10,000 people turned up for the menteri besar’s open house, with many arriving at his official residence as early as 8.30am although the event was held until 3pm.

Checks by Bernama found that many came with their families in colour-coordinated baju raya to brighten up the occasion.

Guests were served a wide variety of delicacies, including special Bugis food burasak and lepat loi, and other local delicacies such as laksa Johor, mi rebus, otak-otak, kacang pool and beriani.

In Selangor, an Aidilfitri reception at the residence of Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari was also a lively affair with the attendance of people of various races.

Among those present were state executive councillors, elected representatives and heads of government department and agency in the state.

Amirudin told reporters that the event, held from 9 am to noon, was originally scheduled for the first day of Syawal.

“This event was planned for the first day of Raya but since Aidilfitri was declared one day earlier (than expected), we decided to hold it on the second day of Syawal,” he said.

- Bernama