Irene (right) with her friend Alice from Luyang.
Visitors at the Hari Raya open house.
KOTA KINABALU: The annual Hari Raya open house at the State Palace is popular among locals and tourists alike as an opportunity to meet new friends and enjoy a wide array of culinary fare prepared by chefs at top hotels in the state.
Irene Mah, who was among thousands of visitors at the open house, said she has attended the event almost every year.
“Apart from enjoying the food, my family members and I can also meet friends and make new friends here as well.
“This is our chance to know each other as Hari Raya is one of the biggest celebrations,” she said, adding that at the open house, they could also share their happiness and to seek forgiveness.
For Anne Santos, this year was her first time experiencing the open house hosted by Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and wife Toh Puan Norlidah R.M Jasni.
She said it was a great experience to be together with other visitors who had come to celebrate the event.
“I come here with friends who also wanted to meet other family members here,” said Anne.
She also said there were so many people at the event, with lots of food being prepared.
“This shows that our people live in harmony and peace as we still can celebrate Hari Raya together,” added Anne.
Also present at the open house were Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman and wife Datin Seri Faridah Haji Tussin, Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin, Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and Datuk Seri Panglima Raymond Tan Tsu Kiah, State Assembly Speaker Datuk Syed Abas Syed Ali and State Secretary Tan Sri Sukarti Wakiman.