PETALING JAYA: After two years of subdued Hari Raya celebrations, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s open house tomorrow is set to cater to 70,000 visitors, all of whom will be spoilt for choice by a menu featuring several dozen dishes.
According to the managing director of the Prime Minister’s Office, Mohd Sabri Seman, the open house at Laman Sari, Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya, will involve seven main caterers and 40 different food suppliers.
“Most of the food will have the Hari Raya concept.
“We have all kinds of laksa, four different types of rice, and since our PM is from Bera, there will be the special rojak Bera,” said Mohd Sabri, who added the food will be enhanced with live performances to entertain the people amid what he termed as a “village-like” atmosphere.
Mohd Sabri said there’s much excitement in the PMO regarding the upcoming open house, the first to be held in two years since the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020.
He said Malaysians who are attending the open house are encouraged to wear face masks, maintain their distance, and not spend more than 30 minutes at the venue as it is set to have between 50,000 to 70,000 visitors. Visitors are also advised to abide by instructions that day.
“We are expecting a high volume of people, so all visitors are advised to be patient and courteous.
“We also encourage each visitor to spend between 20 and 30 minutes because many will be queuing up,” he said.
Mohd Sabri also said 200 officers from the Health Ministry, the district health office, police, civil defence force and the people’s volunteer corps (Rela), will be stationed to monitor standard operating procedure compliance at the event.
“Twenty tents will be set up outside the Seri Perdana Complex for visitors who are queuing up and waiting for their turn to enter the event as well as facilities for persons with disabilities and senior citizens,” he said.
Ismail Sabri will be present throughout the open house at the Seri Perdana complex from 10am to 4pm.
“The PM will be with the people throughout the event,” said Mohd Sabri, who added that visitors are advised to only take pictures at permitted places.
He said the PMO’s ceremonial and international conference secretariat division was tasked with organising the event after the prime minister expressed his intention to hold a Hari Raya open house this year.
Mohd Sabri advised visitors to use the free bus service by Putrajaya Bus from 9am onwards, which will depart every 20 minutes from Putrajaya Sentral, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque and Putra Mosque.