Astana open house draws massive crowd on first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri

KUCHING (March 22): Astana Negeri Sarawak welcomed tens of thousands of visitors on the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, with the atmosphere brimming with colour, energy and shared joy among a diverse crowd.

The festive open house was hosted by Sarawak Governor Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, who also graced the occasion on Saturday.

Among the attendees were foreign visitors, including 76-year-old Frenchwoman, Michele de Foucault, who was in Kuching with her botanist husband for plant research.

The visit marked their fifth trip to Malaysia and their third to Borneo.

“What I love about the open house is the festive fare. I have always loved Sarawak Laksa—it truly defines the identity of the state,” shared the Montpellier native.

Waiting patiently by the roadside for their turn to enter the venue, 49-year-old Azman Hussein and his family caught the eye, donning shades of blue.

“The idea for this colour choice was entirely my children’s,” he said, adding that he was excited to soak in the festive atmosphere.

Azman shared that in previous years, he would often bring his family to celebrate at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.

“My hope for this year’s Raya is for our people to enjoy greater harmony, increased prosperity, and for our state to remain peaceful and flourishing,” he expressed.

As in past celebrations, the event featured traditional bamboo cannons, their booming blasts serving as a nostalgic reminder of a time when these traditional cannons were a hallmark of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, long before the advent of firecrackers and fireworks.

Also in attendance were deputy prime minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof, deputy premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, along with state and federal ministers and other distinguished guests.

Aidilfitri open house Astana Negeri Sarawak Hari Raya Aidilfitri interviews onsite