30,000 attend CM's Raya open house
Published on: Monday, July 20, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: After an absence of one year, the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house hosted by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and the State Muslim Cabinet Ministers saw more than 30,000 from all walks of life coming for the celebration on the third day of Raya, Sunday.Musa and his Cabinet members were on hand to greet guest-of-honour Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his consort Toh Puan Norlidah Tan Sri RM Jasni as well as the public who started to flock into the multi-purpose hall of the Kota Kinabalu Sports Complex in Likas from 10am to 1pm.This year saw the food stalls area being spread out to the volleyball and basketball courts adjacent to the multi-purpose hall.
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Last year, the Raya open house was not held in respect of the victims and family members of the MH370 and MH17 tragedies.At the open house, Musa handed out Aidilfitri goodies to orphans and the disabled from welfare homes in the city. Later, Musa told reporters that he and his colleagues in the Cabinet were happy to see not only Muslims but also people from other religions and races coming to the open house.Musa also thanked the various organisations and associations for making the time to the open house.
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"Everyone is happy. This is actually the situation that we want, what more Sabah has so many ethnics. We can feel the kindred spirit," he said. "The open house also provides an opportunity for the people to meet their leaders and for leaders to get closer to the people in an atmosphere of goodwill and harmony," he said.
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Meanwhile, almost 5,000 well-wishers attended the Aidilfitri open house of Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahirudin and wife Toh Puan Norlidah R.M Jasni in Istana Negeri on Saturday.The open house, which began from 10am until 1pm, were attended by people from diverse races.The guests were feted with an assortment of interesting delicacies, including special Hari Raya menu like satay, ketupat, lemang and rendang besides being entertained by local artistes from Sabah.Meanwhile Apri Asrir, 30, from Tawau was happy and excited that he could gather with the people of various races in the state to celebrate together at the Aidilfitri open house."Regardless of our race, religion or culture, we celebrate Hari Raya to further enhance ties as one Malaysia," he said.The sentiment is shared by Chin Foi Soon, 24, from Penampang who said it was a platform to strengthen the bond between the various races in Sabah.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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