MELAKA: More than 50,000 people flocked to the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house hosted by the Melaka Chief Minister at his residence in Kampung Pulau in Masjid Tanah here despite heavy rain.
Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Jusoh warmly welcomed each guest at the entrance of his D’Aqua residence by personally greeting the attendees during the event that started at 3pm on Saturday (April 19).
The event was graced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Among the other prominent figures present were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Utama Mohamad Hasan, MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, former Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali, as well as several state and federal leaders, and representatives from various non-governmental organisations.
The crowd began to swell around 4.40pm, with vehicles parked as far as three to four kilometres from the residence.
Shuttle buses and electric buggies were arranged to ferry guests directly to the venue.
Guests were treated to a wide variety of traditional and contemporary cuisines, with 70 kiosks and ten food trucks set up to serve the crowd.
The festive spirit was further enlivened by live musical performances throughout the event.
Senior Consultant for Japanese Investors, A.R. Nair, 45, said he drove from Iskandar Puteri, Johor, early in the morning to attend the open house.
“A community leader from Johor shared the invitation with me, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to meet the Chief Minister.
"I often read about him in the English media, and I was thrilled to finally see him in person,” he said.
Norhayati Jaffar, 37, a housewife from Tanjung Minyak, also made the trip with her family.
“Our village headman invited us, and I thought it would be nice to attend the Chief Minister’s open house with my family,” she added.
