Police’s Raya do attracts 1,000

Festive delicacies, performances among open house highlights in George Town

ABOUT 1,000 people comprising police personnel, their families and guests attended the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house hosted by Penang police.

Held at Dewan Mutiara at the state police contingent headquarters in George Town, the event featured 17 food booths set up by police from all the five districts in the state.

Among the guests were Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak and his wife Toh Puan Khadijah Mohd Nor.

They were welcomed by Penang police chief Comm Datuk Hamzah Ahmad, senior officers and all the district police chiefs.

Guests were treated to a sumptuous spread of Hari Raya delicacies such as ketupat, lemang, rendang, roti jala and laksa.

Attendees were also entertained with various traditional Malay dance performances by George Town police headquarters cultural dancers.

A police band known as NEPD (North East Police Department) serenaded guests with Hari Raya-themed songs.

Lim and H’ng entertaining guests with two songs.

Although it began to rain in the middle of the event, it didn’t stop guests from enjoying the food and performances.

During his welcome speech, Comm Hamzah thanked Ahmad Fuzi and his wife for attending the Hari Raya open house.

“We truly appreciate the attendance of the Yang di- Pertua Negri and his wife.

“I would also like to thank all those attending the event.

“Celebrations like this strengthen the bond of police and the community,” he said.

He added that open houses were unique as the celebration brought together other races too, which further fostered unity among people.

State executive councillors Lim Siew Khim and Jason H’ng Mooi Lye belted out two songs during the event.

Both of them sang Malay rock song Terima Kasih, popularised by Awie, and Cantonese song Hai Kuo Tian Kong (Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies) by Hong Kong group Beyond.

The event ended with children receiving duit Raya from Penang Police Family Association chairman Datin Sulastri Fethihana Swanto.