JOHOR BARU: Over 18,000 people came together to enjoy the Hari Raya open house of Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar at Istana Besar here.
A beeline could be seen building up in front of the palace as early as 9am.
By noon, the queue along Jalan Ayer Molek had stretched to about 1km, even as more people made their way here.
Among those who waited patiently to attend the open house was teacher Wong Ying Khing, 25, who came with her friends.
“I saw the announcement for the open house on social media a few days ago and immediately decided to come here. I called up some of my friends, and they were also excited.
“This is the first time that I am attending the Sultan’s open house, and it is very exciting. I waited for about 40 minutes because the line was just too long, but it was not really a problem for me.
“It is a pretty interesting way to spend my Hari Raya holiday, and the wait was worth it. At least I experienced Hari Raya at the Johor Ruler’s open house,” said Wong, who loves traditional Malay dishes.
Factory operator M. Shalini, 34, also attended the open house for the first time with her three children.
“It is my day off, and I decided to bring my kids here so that we can have the experience for the first time together.
“I was surprised when I saw the long line at the entrance. However, the line was moving pretty smoothly despite people turning up continuously,” she said.
For housewife Azalila A. Samad, 49, going to the Johor Ruler’s open house for Hari Raya Aidilfitri has always been a family tradition.
“Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Sultan would host such open houses almost every year, and I would always attend them without fail. I am glad that after a four-year wait, I could once again make my way here.
“I just really love the atmosphere where you can see people of all races, from the rich to the poor, dining together,” she said.
This is the Johor Sultan’s first Hari Raya open house since the Covid-19 pandemic.
His Majesty’s last open house was in 2019 at Istana Pasir Pelangi.
Those attending, including the state’s top leaders and officials, were treated to an array of local dishes such as cendol, ketupat, rendang and nasi briyani.
Children at the open house were also handed duit raya and goodie bags.
Sultan Ibrahim was seen personally welcoming and greeting the visitors, shaking hands with the crowd eagerly waiting to see a glimpse of the Johor Ruler.
Also gracing the occasion were Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah and other members of the Johor Royal Family.
Among the guests were Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, state secretary Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani, state speaker Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi, state exco members, assemblymen and other top state officials and leaders.
In a Facebook post, Dr Wee, who is also Ayer Hitam MP, thanked Sultan Ibrahim for organising the Hari Raya open house.
“People from all walks of life, including foreign dignitaries, diplomats and government officers from other countries, were invited to join in the celebration.
“This is the uniqueness of Malaysia, which we must protect and preserve to live in peace and harmony,” he wrote.
