The stately residence (background) coming alive with laughter, joyful shouts and playful energy as children of all ages found themselves in a world of wonder. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
Governor’s home becomes Children’s Day wonderland filled with fun activities
THE doors of Seri Mutiara, the stately home of Penang Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, swung open to welcome over 2,000 excited young guests for a Children’s Day celebration like no other.
The grand residence, usually serene and dignified, came alive with laughter, joyful shouts and playful energy, to the delight of Ahmad Fuzi and his wife Toh Puan Khadijah Mohd Nor.
Children of all ages found themselves in a world of wonder during this inaugural event.
With interactive games, colouring contests, robot-building workshops and lively stations for fishing, face-painting and bubble-making, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Escape theme park, which was among the event’s vendors, set up roller-coasters, zip coasters, tree-climbing harnesses attached to existing trees, and even a giant slingshot.
Ahmad Fuzi (second right) and Lim (right) watching children playing with toy blocks.
These transformed the mansion’s lush grounds into an adventure playground.
Among the celebration highlights was a workshop that taught students to operate an automated external defibrillator (AED).
This was aimed at being recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records for being “The Largest Children’s Participation in an AED Learning Session”.
Handprint-making was among the art activities held at the party.
To top it off, festive food booths offered ice-cream, popcorn, burgers and beverages.
Assistant class monitor Nurzulaikha Zaini, 14, from SMK Penanti, Bukit Mertajam, shared that being within the stately residence was in itself an awesome experience.
“I’ve always passed by the mansion but had never imagined that I’d get to go inside.
“It’s amazing to finally step in.
“I’ll always remember not just the fun but also the new things I learned from the hands-on workshops,” she said.
A roller-coaster was one of the Escape theme park attractions that turned the usually serene grounds into a children’s adventure playground.
For V. Shivira, 12, from SJK (T) Tamil Ramakrishna in George Town, the day was magical.
“This is like a dream come true!
“We’ve had so much fun making solar cars and eating ice-cream!
“It’s an experience I’ll cherish forever,” she said.
Children trying their hand at using an AED.
Darren Gan Jun Cheng, 15, from SMJK Phor Thay in Bayan Lepas, said it was his first time celebrating Children’s Day outside of school.
He believed this was also the case for many other students at the event.
“I’m grateful to have been invited and it’s been an incredible experience,” he said.
Penang social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim expressed her gratitude to Ahmad Fuzi for hosting the event.
Students performing a lively dance to entertain guests.
“I remember Tun sharing that, as a child, he could only see this official residence from outside and had wished that he would be able to step inside it one day.
“Who would have thought that he would go on to not only fulfil that dream but open Seri Mutiara’s doors to celebrate Children’s Day with the children of our state, and thereby make history in Penang,” she remarked.
Over 3,000 people attended the celebration, among them more than 2,000 students aged between three and 17, including the disabled, from 115 schools across the state.
Penang Welfare Department director Zakaria Taib, who was at the event, also highlighted its significance.
“This celebration allows children to participate in fun, beneficial activities that help them to develop talent and character from a young age,” he said.
