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Wednesday, 1 October 2008

Abdullah Kicks Off Raya Celebrations With King

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah kicked off their Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations with an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Agung Tuanku Nur Zahirah at Istana Negara early this morning.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Raja Permaisuri Agong, Abdullah and Jeanne, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Muslim Cabinet Ministers, then proceeded to the National Mosque for Aidilfitri prayers.

The entourage then returned to Istana Negara, only to be joined by ambassadors and high commissioners to begin the celebrations proper. Also present were former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.

The Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers and their wives then departed to the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) to host the Hari Raya open house.

The Hari Raya open house is open to diplomats and VIP guests from 11am to 12.30pm, before doors opened to public at 12.30pm and will run up to 4.30pm.

Abdullah started the tradition of holding the joint Hari Raya open house with Cabinet Ministers four years ago and since then, it has become a mainstay and an opportunity for Malaysians of all walks of life as well as foreigners, including tourists, to meet the nation's leaders.

Visitors were treated to various dishes, prepared by 45 chefs at five main halls -- Dewan Merdeka, Dewan Tun Hussein Onn, Dewan Tun Dr Ismail, Dewan Tun Razak 3 and Dewan Tun Razak 4 -- of the PWTC.

About 200,000 visitors are expected to throng the open house with 150 security personnel being deployed for crowd control.

-- BERNAMA

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