Auspicious occasion: Ng and Chong greeting Dr Mahathir and Dr Siti Hasmah
During the Hari Raya Open House in Seri Kembangan yesterday.
— Bernama
UALA LUMPUR: A couple stood out among the thousands that flocked to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s open house yesterday — they were dressed in their wedding gown and suit.
Marketing manager Ng Vin Ping, 37, who just picked up his bride Chong Pei Nee, 27, on their wedding day, decided to drop by the former prime minister’s residence in Seri Kembangan yesterday.
Ng had flown home from Shanghai to marry Chong and the couple was due to hold their wedding dinner at the Palace of the Golden Horses.
“The hotel staff informed us about Tun’s open house and we decided to take the opportunity to meet him, as he is my idol. As a Malaysian, I admire him a lot and I wish him a long life,” Ng said.
The couple stood in line with the crowd in the sweltering heat for half an hour before they had the opportunity to meet Dr Mahathir and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.
Dr Mahathir, dressed in a lilac baju Melayu, and his wife, in a light blue baju kurung with a flower motif, shook the couple’s hands and posed for pictures with them.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor also paid a visit at about 11.50am.
The Prime Minister and former prime minister were happily chatting at their table as they savoured rendang, satay and char koay teow.
Among those who also turned up for the open house was first-time visitor Jit Singh, 60, who brought his family to meet Dr Mahathir.
“I used to read about him in the papers and it was an exciting encounter indeed when I met him for the first time.”
Also present was the National Bank of Pakistan Senior Executive Vice-President Dr Mirza Abrar Baig, who said the open house by Dr Mahathir showed that he was a sincere statesman.
Dr Mirza added that there was an open atmosphere for leaders and the people to come together, something that “cannot be done in Pakistan” due to the political environment there.
Also present were Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and Angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muzaphar Shukor.
Adapted from The Star Online Newspaper, 27 09 2009.
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