20,000 throng open house (for Christmas Open House in Kajang)

Reading this article made me reminiscent about the open houses when I was young. It was so much fun cycling around the whole of Kajang. Well, the spirit of open house is still strong I suppose but only a small percentage still practise it. What happened?

Until the next time, cheers.

The New Straits Times, 27 December 2011

20,000 throng open house

KAJANG: The national Christmas open house held yesterday at the Kajang High School field, here, was attended by some 20,000 people of all faiths and races, including foreigners.

Dancers in colourful traditional attire performing at the national level Christmas open house at the Kajang High School field yesterday. Pic by Fariz Iswadi Ismail

Among those present were Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, his wife Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman, ministers and deputy ministers.

The crowd was entertained to songs by famous artistes like Jamal Abdillah and One Nation Emcees and  treated to cultural performances as they feasted on a 1Malaysia spread that included satay, nasi biryani, macaroni and rendang.

Among those who joined in the festivities was retired army officer V. Vallayan, 65, who came  with his family.

Vallayan said he supported the spirit of 1Malaysia and wished that Malaysians could rediscover the old spirit of togetherness which everyone, regardless of race used to share.

“I still remember the camaraderie I shared with my friends of different races during my army days.

“Today, the situation is not like what it used to be but it is improving under the leadership of our prime minister.”

Katja Binder, 20, from Germany was fascinated with Malaysia’s open house concept.

“The celebration is very different from Germany but it is still very nice and colourful,” said Binder, whose favourite Malaysian dish is nasi biryani.

 

Binder is in Malaysia with his friends Magdalena Bau and Eva Maria Dietz, both 18.

   

At the event, Muhyiddin also presented 1Malaysia netbooks to 30 students who excelled in their studies while 200 charity homes received daily goods under the Kembara Jalinan Kasih programme organised by the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry.

   

Earlier, Muhyiddin and other leaders visited the home of Peter Ng Ah Kaw, one of the recipients of the house restoration aid under the Special Affairs Department.

   

Ng, 70, received RM1,000, basic necessities and a 1Malaysia plaque.

 

Ng told reporters that he and his family were overjoyed with Muhyiddin’s visit.

“I’m very happy. Today, I feel like a VIP. I didn’t expect many to come to my house. The deputy prime minister is caring and humble.”