RECENTLY the PM announced that all government agencies, government-linked companies and government-linked investment agencies are not to hold any Raya open houses. This is in the light of the global economic crisis sparked by the war in West Asia which has elevated costs necessitating prudence in our spending.
This decision by the government has sparked both support and protests, most of it centred on costs and the loss of contracts by caterers and other vendors. But I would like to offer another perspective on loss.
Open house is a unique Malaysian tradition. It starts at the family level where the people open their homes to all friends and family to come and enjoy the special foods for that day. It is not limited to Hari Raya but also to Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Christmas. Eventually, and I suppose inevitably, it led to government agencies and companies also organising their own open houses for their staff and clients.
One of the most unique open houses in our calendar is the Prime Minister’s open house. When I tell overseas friends about it, they are astonished. Anyone can come, whether they are VIPs, diplomats, tourists or, in most cases, ordinary citizens. What is amazing is how truly open it is, with no security checks even though there are security personnel around. Unimaginable in any other country.
I have had the privilege of experiencing the big open house from the inside for many years. Every year I am astounded by the long lines of people who are willing to brave the sun, sometimes rain, with babies, kids and old people in tow, just to be able to shake hands with the PM, wife and family and then have some food to eat. These visitors reflected the entire diversity of Malaysia. They were young, old, well-off and more humble, Malaysian and foreign. Despite the long waits, by the time they got up to the house and met the PM, they were all smiles, exchanging greetings with absolute sincerity.
I have many happy memories of those open houses. Over the years we have noticed some regulars. One was a woman we nicknamed Queen because she always dressed in a long velvet dress and a tiara. Some people came as little children and continued as adults with their own families. One of my favourite recollections is from the year when Chinese New Year and Hari Raya coincided exactly. The fashion trend among visitors that year involved a beautiful hybrid of Chinese and Malay designs. But what I loved most was the delighted look on so many Chinese visitors’ faces when we returned their "Selamat Hari Raya" with "Kong He Fatt Choy".
That, to me, is what we lose when we cancel open houses. It is truly a Malaysian phenomenon, where we gather regardless of race and religion and our standing in society to celebrate together. It is muhibbah and democracy in action, because when else does the ordinary citizen get to meet, shake hands and quickly take photos with the folks who they elected to lead them? There is never time to talk about issues in the queue but that’s alright because for once, we’re doing one thing together, that is, to celebrate.
Undoubtedly it was a huge expense on the part of the government which we can’t afford these days. There were also some wasted food and drink which is why in the later years, people were given boxed food. Clearing up afterwards also involved a large crew of people who had to be paid for.
But what is gained through goodwill is immeasurable. The PM’s open house is Malaysia’s unique multiculturalism in action, where we come to enjoy the festivities together. I have never heard of anyone quarrelling at the open house or creating any sort of fracas. Can you imagine US president Trump or British PM Kier Starmer having anything like this?
So while I understand the need to cut costs, and I’m very sorry for all the caterers and vendors who had hoped to have their annual windfall contract this year, what is most regrettable in my book is the loss of Malaysia’s annual showcase of peace and harmony, something that is getting rarer and rarer in the world today. Hopefully this is only temporary, and we will return to our traditional ways in the years to come. All we must do now is pray for that faraway war to end.
Selamat Hari Raya, everybody!
Marina Mahathir is hoping that after a month of fasting, her tummy is prepared for the onslaught of Raya food. The views written here are solely the writer’s own.
Uniquely Malaysian
Despite the long waits, by the time the revellers got up to the house and met the PM, they were all smiles, exchanging greetings with absolute sincerity.
The open house visitors reflected the entire diversity of Malaysia. They were young, old, well-off and more humble, Malaysian and foreign.
Look here, here. Visitors trying to get a close look at the PM and record the moment.
The writer says every year she is astounded by the long lines of people who are willing to brave the sun, sometimes rain, with babies, kids and old people in tow, just to be able to shake hands with the PM, wife and family and then have some food to eat.
'I was there'. A cool Raya at the PM's house.
