Thousands throng Seri Perdana for PM's Hari Raya open house (Updated)

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad met and greeted some 55,000 people, including VIP's and foreigners for a good three-hours at the inaugural Pakatan Harapan Hari-Raya open house today.
"I greeted some 55,000 people today, I can't wish anyone anymore or else I'm scared my hand will dry up (lekang)," he said at his official residence at Seri Perdana here.
"I'm sorry I can't greet all of you. You will have to wait till next year's open house," he said to roaring applause and laughter.
He also reiterated that the newly formed government will strive to fulfil their promises.
"Hopefully with this change of government and support from all of you together, the country will be peaceful, and with this peace, we can heal the country.
"We can settle the issue of the national debt, in the billions left by the last administration," he said.
People had begun gathering in line as early as 8am at the prime minister's official residence to enjoy the festivities and catch a glimpse of Mahathir and all the ministers in attendance.
Mahathir arrived at the open house at 11.25pm clad in a purple baju Melayu (his favourite colour) with his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and greeted the long line of people waiting to see him.
However, after about half an hour of standing, Mahathir and Siti Hasmah had to sit down while the steady stream of people came to meet them.
Mahathir then left the open house to attend Friday prayers and returned at 2.30pm to continue the second part of the meet and greet session.
He stayed on till about 4.15pm.
The crowd reached up to about 80,000 according to the security and protocols unit for the open house.
This time around, the main house which was traditionally used for the open house in recent years was closed.
A series of huge tents were set up in the garden overlooking the Prime Minister's office, where guests gathered to enjoy the festivities.
Guests were treated to an array of traditional festive fare including lemang, rendang, satay, briyani and not so traditional Raya delicacies like naan, chapati, kebabs and other local and international delicacies.
"Nowhere in Malaysia you can get a view like this, food like this and crowd like this, but on the first day of Syawal in today's open house," announced the emcee.
Invited guests included diplomats and ambassadors, including the Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia.
Guests were waiting as early as 5am to meet the prime minister.
One such person was Annie Suppiah, 56 who waited in line for about two hours to meet Mahathir.
"I came because my visually impaired daughter always wanted Tun M's autograph," she said.
Although she couldn't bring her daughter to the line to meet Mahathir, she had procured two Pakatan Harapan paper fans and wanted to get Mahathir to autograph them.
"I am happy I got to shake his hand and get him to sign the fans, my daughter admires Tun M and I am happy I got to get the autograph for her," she said.
Throughout the day all the cabinet ministers took turns to stand with Mahathir to greet the people.
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said that the big crowd that showed up today was something very special and never seen before, he told reporters.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook expressed gratitude to the crowd which thronged the open house.
He was happy to see so many people from all walks of life attending the event, despite the hot weather and having to wait in long queues.
"I also saw some even shedding tears of joy as they shook hands and congratulated (Prime Minister) Tun (Dr Mahathir Mohamad on PH's victory).
"This new spirit will take us forward as a nation," he noted.
Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik described the occasion as historic as people from different races, backgrounds, states and political beliefs gathered here for the Hari Raya celebration.
Also at Seri Perdana today was Berjaya Corp Bhd founder and executive chairman Tan Sri Vincent Tan.