JOHOR BARU: Thousands of people from all walks of life thronged the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house hosted by the Johor Palace at Istana Besar here.
People could be seen making a beeline since early Sunday (March 22) morning, with many seen donning their colourful traditional clothes.
Among them was Nurul Farah Ain Azhar, 38, who came with her family in their bright yellow Hari Raya clothes.
“Although I grew up in Johor, I never experienced attending the Johor Royal Family’s Hari Raya open house.
“This year, we are celebrating Hari Raya in my hometown here and we made an impromptu decision to check out the open house hosted by the Johor palace.
“It was actually my sister’s idea as she comes here with her family almost every year and they seem to really enjoy it,” the staff nurse said when met while lining up to enter the palace here.
Meanwhile, Singaporean student Kai Wyn, 20, said this was his first time attending an open house, and it had been a pleasing experience.
“It's really interesting, and it feels like a community field. There are a lot of people showing up and just enjoying the Hari Raya open house, so it's a nice atmosphere,” he said.
He added that he had never joined any open house in Singapore before and decided to take part in this one because his friends invited him.
Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, also graced the event and spent a few minutes shaking hands and greeting the public.
Other members of the Johor Royal family spotted included Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, his wife Che’ Puan Mahkota Khaleeda, Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, and Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar Ibni Sultan Ibrahim.
