BY ABIDGAIL MERTA GANGGANG
KOTA SAMARAHAN: Over 4000 guests attended the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house hosted by Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) and Samarahan MP, Datuk Rubiah Wang today.
The event held at Dewan Suarah Kota Samarahan took place from 9 am to 3 pm.
More than 10 booths served Raya delicacies like ‘mee jawa’, ‘lemang’, ‘cendol’ and ‘kek lapis’ from various federal agencies such as Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (FELCRA) and Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (RISDA).
“This Hari Raya open house for Samarahan constituency is held jointly with KKDW and other ministries with us today.
“And we invited members of the public to come and the crowds that are coming today are beyond our expectations.
“Therefore, I want to thank all the visitors who have come and this is a good spirit where all races and religions come to enjoy this joyous occasion,” Rubiah said at a press conference after the event.
She added the open house was more than just a celebration of food and fun. It was also a celebration of gratitude, forgiveness and reconciliation for those who have wronged others or been wronged by others.
Meanwhile, it is the thirteenth Raya visit for Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg who spent at least an hour with the other visitors at the open house.
The scorching weather did not deter the guests from attending the event with the majority of the visitors coming from Samarahan constituency and Muara Tuang area.
The open house was attended by not only the Muslims, but the non-Muslims who got to experience the liveliness of festivity.
The crowds were also entertained by song performances from the Premier himself.
Meanwhile, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri took the opportunity to entertain the guests with their singing.
Besides that, there were also dance and song performances from local talents Gatra Tari, Emma B, Badul Hisyam and Hijrah Yahya.
Also present at the open house were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohammad Asfia Awang Nassar and other dignitaries.
