Thousands throng Aidilfitri open house at Istana Negara

More than 20,000 people attended the Aidilfitri open house hosted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Hajah Haminah, at the Istana Negara today. The guests, who included foreign nationals, tourists of various races and ages and disabled people, began making a beeline for the palace from 9 am, although the function began only at 11.30 am. They were treated to an assortment of food. Many took the opportunity to greet the royal couple who presented 'duit raya' and packets of cakes to the children who attended the open house. A tourist from Lancaster, United Kingdom, Rotimi Keshinro, 20, who had never attended an Aidilfitri open house, told Bernama: "This is my first time here and the first time to meet the king too. I'm here with my mum on vacation. I'm absolutely happy to be here." A Japanese national, Morimoto Shinichi, who teaches Japanese at Universiti Malaya, said the experience of meeting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Raja Permaisuri Agong was an unforgettable one. Roslina Akib, 40, from Banting, Selangor, said she was thrilled to attend the open house and greet the king and queen at the Istana Negara for the first time. She said that as her husband, M. Ahamad Noti, 46, was a handicapped person, they were ushered into the function hall by another entrance without having to queue up with the other guests. Kindergarten teacher S. Vasantha Kumari, 46, from Petaling Jaya, took her two children aged 10 and 12 for the open house so that they could see and feel for themselves the spirit of goodwill that prevails among Malaysians, especially during the festive season. Brothers Mohd Fadli Azwan, 20, and Nur Fadlina, 18, rushed to Istana Negara after performing Aidilfitri prayers in Shah Alam, Selangor, to continue the "tradition of celebrating with the dignitaries". "Last year also, we attended the open house at Istana Negara. After this, we will be attending Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's open house at Putrajaya," said the brothers, who will return to their village in Negeri Sembilan tomorrow. Guest Foo Thim Soong, 60, said she joined the queue at 10 am and was happy she was able to greet the king about an hour later. Earlier, The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Hajah Haminah, hosted an Aidilfitri open house at the Istana Negara here today. The open house for dignitaries began at 10 am and was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, deputy ministers, members of the diplomatic corps as well as members of the royalty and friends of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali and the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar were also among the guests at the open house. Tuanku Abdul Halim exchanged greetings with the guests who were treated to an assortment of food such as laksa, satay, ketupat, rendang, lemang and cakes. Chilean Ambassador to Malaysia Christian Rehren said he enjoyed the celebratory atmosphere at the palace. "I always wait for raya to come and the best food I enjoyed today was the satay," he told Bernama. Argentine Ambassador to Malaysia Maria Isabel Rendon said she had a good time at the palace and liked how everybody was celebrating Aidilfitri regardless of race and religion. "My favourite raya dish is beef rendang, I like it for its spiciness," she said. The open house for the public began at 11.30 am.