In
Johor, we pride ourselves with the month-long celebration that traditionally
kicked off with intimate family reunions before welcoming guests into their
homes on the first day of Raya and then visiting relatives in the extended
family.
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| Raya Open House hosted by Majlis Bandaraya Johor Baru at the Arena Larkin indoor stadium |
At
such gatherings, “Tambah lagi?” was among the common Malay phrases I
learnt because our hosts, who have a genuine heart for hospitality, would often
encourage us to take a second helping of everything they served.
Over
the years, I have learnt the knack of taking a tiny first helping so that I
could oblige our host’s kind request to tambah lagi (add more!) and not
over indulge in the tasty delicacies they served.
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| Our table at Persada International Convention Centre hosted by Johor Corporation |
As
families and guest groups grew bigger, food was often catered from outsourced
kitchens. And it soon became the norm for most gatherings especially those
hosted on a larger scale by corporations and government agencies that were held
in hotel banquet halls or big venues like an indoor stadium.
When
guest lists grew longer, the hosts then opted to serve a wide range of festive
food buffet-style, from live-cooking stations and stalls at their Open House
events.
After
the global pandemic restrictions and a two-year absence of Open-House
gatherings, the events planned for Hari Raya Aidil Fitri seemed to return with
double the fun in 2023.
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| A serving of Kacang Pool |
I
was privileged to attend a number of Open House celebrations – one after
another over two days – held from Johor Baru to Desaru Coast and Pulai, in a
series of happy reunions to reconnect with corporate friends and associates.
When
I arrived at the Open House event hosted by Johor Corporation held in the
Persada International Convention Centre, the lobby was crowded with people but I
was warmly welcomed in by a staff member who was familiar with me and My Johor
Stories from their Human Library event in July 2022.
I
could not help smiling when he enthusiastically addressed me as, “Mr Peggy of
My Johor Stories!” so I graciously excused him for the error he made in my
gender.
In
the huge hall, guests at banquet tables were already eating while some were
queuing for their choices of food at the live cooking stations even as the
event MCs were sharing a lively banter on stage.
Such
a massive hive of activity was rather overwhelming and I was glad when the host
representatives met and escorted me to a table at the front of the hall, near
the stage.
When
I had settled into my seat, I saw that a number of dishes were presented in a
central warming tray while other platters served skewers of beef and chicken
satay and a portion of fragrant lamb kuzi rice.
I was
pleased when the other guests already seated at the table, paused to introduce
themselves by exchanging name cards with me.
Personally,
I was impressed with their good manners because this was one banquet table
etiquette that is sadly lacking in our community. So it was good that they took
the initiative to introduce themselves instead of ignoring the new arrival at
the table.
When
the next guests arrived at our table, I did not hesitate to make the new
arrivals feel welcome by introducing myself to break the proverbial ice and let
any conversation happen in the next few minutes as we shared the festive meal
together.
Meanwhile,
the waitress assigned to our table served up a choice of hot coffee or milk-tea
and came back with bowls of Kacang Pool, each with a thick slice of
toast.
I
observed two young ladies (I later learnt that they were from Kuala Lumpur!) looking
at the Kacang Pool with a curious expression, so I took the liberty to tell
them that this Johor specialty should be savoured by dipping the toast in the
gravy.
From
the stage décor that featured scenes of vintage P. Ramlee movie, Ali Baba
Bujang Lapok (1961), the MC’s outfit and his quiz questions to participants,
I soon discovered that the event theme was, Arabian Nights.
Then
I met with Hasnina Hafiz, Senior General Manager for Group Corporate
Communications, who was greeting guests from table-to-table.
By
that time, the crowd of guests had swelled to double the number since I arrived
so it was quite impossible for her to find President and Chief Executive, Datuk
Syed Mohamed bin Syed Ibrahim, for me to say, Selamat Hari Raya, to him.
So, I told Nina to please thank him for the invite and convey my greetings to
him later.
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| Live music entertainment of traditional ghazal at the Els Club, Desaru Coast |
After
driving around the parking lot twice, I finally found a parking space –
probably the last lot there – because when I exited the event, cars were even parked
on the roadsides.
Once
again, I was warmly welcomed in to the Big Easy where a live band was
performing traditional ghazal music. As the music ceased, the MC
announced the next entertainment item, a traditional dance performance by pairs
of youngsters.
As
they danced, their enthusiasm was infectious particularly when the high-pitched
voices of these young dancers pierced the air – over and over again.
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| A lively Malay traditional dance performance presented at the event in Els Club |
I
must confess that I could probably answer his questions accurately because I am
familiar with Desaru Coast but I graciously let other guests win the prizes
while I just enjoyed the food and pleasant company at our table.
It
was good to be back in Desaru Coast and reconnect with friends like Stephanie
Saw, Group Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Themed
Attractions Resorts & Hotels.
Through
her support, My Johor Stories books were placed in the super luxurious,
One&Only Resort Desaru Coast for the guests’ reading pleasure since 2020.
Then
in 2021, I had the privilege to partner with Desaru Coast and Roslina Arbak, Managing Director and CEO of Desaru Coast
Destination Resorts, where we shared a
fun event which I had dubbed, Storytelling by the Sea.
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| A gift pouch and the woven rattan coaster made by JARO |
JARO
is the shortform for Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation, an award-winning
NGO founded in Johor Baru since 1952 and a proudly Johor brand which I had
featured in, My Johor Stories 3: Proudly Johor, Then and Now, the third
and final instalment in the trilogy of My Johor Stories books, launched in 2022.
When
I read the gift tag printed with a headline, Something Johor, I could
not help feeling proud of the support given by Desaru Coast to JARO. It was
indeed very special to see such tangible support from a renowned corporation to
an NGO that continues to provide training to people with disabilities to create
useful handicrafts.
Meanwhile
before I received the invite from Tengku Tarmizi Tengku Aziz, Librarian at the
Sultan Ismail Library in Johor Baru, I had already received the same invitation
to the Open House hosted by Majlis Bandaraya Johor Baru posted in the Downtown
Johor Baru group chat.
“Dijemput
hadir esok ye…” said Tengku Tarmizi, who assured me that he would be at the
entrance from 10am to welcome me in.
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| One for the album: with Datuk Bandar, Dato Noorazam Dato Haji Osman |
Parking
attendants ensured that cars were parked in an orderly way as guests arrived in
throngs and walked to the Arena Larkin, undeterred by the scorching sun.
On
arrival, I was pleased to see Tengku Tarmizi who led me to meet the host, JB
City Mayor or Datuk Bandar, Dato’ Haji Mohd Noorazam Dato Haji Osman, for me to
wish him, Selamat Hari Raya.
Inside
the indoor stadium, a vocalist sang with a band to provide live music
entertainment while guests helped themselves to a range of festive food served
from stalls and happily ate, seated around tables.
This
January, I met Tengku Tarmizi when he and his family joined my first Heritage
Walk arranged under the My Johor Stories in Downtown Johor Baru project. This
led to his participation in two more Heritage Walks in the following two
months.
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| My choice of satay with that refreshing own-made iced-mango yogurt drink |
I
took early leave from this event at Arena Larkin to go on a short drive to
Pulai Springs Resort for my next Open House hosted in the Kencanapuri Hall. [Upon
registration at the reception, I was given a ticket for the Lucky Draw.]
General
Manager, Sunny Soo, was dressed in traditional Baju Melayu Telok Belanga
complete with songkok, and introduced himself as Mohamed Sunny/Sani. He and
his team welcomed guests to enjoy the resort’s hospitality in a wide range of
festive food served from stalls arranged inside and outside the hall.
In
the scorching midday heat, their own-made iced-mango yogurt drink was a sure
winner. [One tall glass was just not enough to quench my thirst so I had two.]
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| My score ranked No. 38 at the end of the game |
In
between Malay cultural dance performances, the MC led in fun games for guests
to win prizes. Then he went on to lead an online interactive game called,
AhaSlides where guests were required to scan a QR code to register their
participation.
While
I am not big on electronic games, I decided to join and attempt the trivia
questions in a game that required the fastest-fingers-first-to-log-in a
multiple-choice answer.
I
felt comfortable as the quiz questions were centered on familiar topics like
Raya and Johor Culture-Heritage. After each question, the large screen in front
will show a list of scores with ranking and at the end of the game, the top
three scores will be deemed the winners.
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| My winning Lucky Draw ticket and the Second Prize |
As
time ticked on, I kept an eye on my watch and was compelled to leave for my
next appointment in the city so I left my Lucky Draw ticket with my friends.
The
day ended on a high note when I received a message with photo from my friend
who said: “Your ticket won 2D/1N stay with RM100 F&B voucher!!!”
Thank
you, Pulai Springs Resort for a fitting end to my Raya Open House outings! Selamat
Hari Raya Aidil Fitri everyone.
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