The festive open house is a unique concept, to celebrate Malaysia’s racial and religious diversity.
The Federal and state governments have held open houses every year for Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Christmas.
MPs and assemblymen held open houses to get closer to community leaders and constituents.
Local authorities, meanwhile, have their own open houses and invite ratepayers, residents associations, community committee members and residents.
A lot of government-linked companies (GLCs) and government departments hold open houses to spread festive cheer.
Over the years, the tradition of neighbours visiting each other’s homes during festive seasons has declined due to increasing urbanisation and indifference to communal fellowship.
This reduces the chances of communal interaction and understanding.
To counter this trend, government bodies and elected representatives initiated open houses.
When the distance between elected representatives and their constituents is getting wider and interactions less frequent, open houses provide an avenue to overcome this.
Open houses can also bring communities together, especially when polemics and politics are becoming divisive and polarising.
Open houses are still popular and lively and should be continued as exemplary cultural events.
These events also draw a lot of dignitaries and sometimes guests can meet the King, the Prime Minister, Cabinet ministers and state representatives.
The open house is a tradition we need to cherish and sustain for communal fellowship and goodwill to ensure peace, prosperity and stability in our country.
V Thomas
Sungai Buloh
