Penang - In Penang, some 10,000 called on Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rashid Abdullah and his wife Datin Seri Rabaayah Md Naim at his open house held at the Jawi commu-nity hall in Nibong Tebal on Satur-day.
Besides the ever-popular satay and ayam rendang and other deli-cious Malay food, there were also Indian favourites such as the tosai and chapati and Chinese hawker fare like the char koay teow.
To keep the multi-racial guests entertained, a band from Perak belted out many songs, including Hari Raya, Bollywood and popular Malay hits.
Abdul Rashid said the strong turnout at his open house showed that the people had confidence in the present government and leader-ship.
Among the dignitaries present were the Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas and his con-sort Toh Puan Hajjah Majimor Shariff, Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, state exco members Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan and Da- tuk Azhar Ibrahim as well as se- veral assemblymen.
It was a similar scene at the open house hosted by Finance Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya at the Balik Pulau sports complex on the island.
Besides Abdul Rahman and Maji-mor, the guests of honour, other VIPs seen at the open house included Deputy Information Minister Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye, Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhammad Farid Saad, as well as Teluk Bahang assem-blyman Siti Faridah Arshad.
Dr Hilmi and his wife Datin Seri Jamilah Mohd Zain greeted the people and invited them into the sports complex where a sumptuous spread of traditional delicacies including satay, laksa, fried koay teow, beef curry and fried prawns awaited them.
Speaking to reporters, Hilmi said he did not expect such a big crowd at his open house.
“I am so glad so many people have turned up. Even my Chinese friends who are on a strict vegetarian diet for Kew Ong Yeah (Nine Emperor Gods) festival have come to wish me Selamat Hari Raya.”
Later, the crowd was entertained to traditional and modern dances with guests invited to sing Hari Raya songs on stage.
In Ipoh, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali, his wife Datin Seri Kamariah Mokri and their three daughters greeted visitors, including many who came from as far as Penang and Kuala Lumpur, at his open house at his residence.
The crowd lined up at the 11 stalls serving traditional fare such as rendang, lemang, honey chicken curry, rojak buah, popiah and fried koay teow.
Among those present at the open house were state officials, repre- sentatives from the Barisan Nasio-nal component parties and asso- ciations such as the Perak Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Indus-try.
Tajol Rosli said he was delighted to see Malaysians from all ethnic groups at his open house.
In Alor Star, more than 10,000 from all walks of life attended the open house of Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid at his official residence in Mentaloon, Alor Star, from 11am to 3pm
Among those present were state executive councillors as well as poli-tical and community leaders.
Source: thestar.com.my (17 Oktober 2007)
