Malaysian High Commissioner To Singapore Hosts Eid Celebration Open House

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah SINGAPORE, July 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore Husni Zai Yaacob Sunday hosted a Hari Raya (Eid celebration) Open House to Malaysians and friends of Malaysia at Rumah Malaysia, here to celebrate the joyous festivity. Malaysians from all walks of life, including members of the Malaysian Association In Singapore (MASIS), High Commission staff, their families and students gathered at the High Commissioner's official residence. They were treated with a variety of Malaysian food that included lemang (traditional food and made of glutinous rice, coconut milk and salt) nasi bryani (a wholesome rice-based dish with spices, rice and meat, fish, eggs and vegetables), rendang (spicy meat/ chicken dish) and ketupat (made from rice packed inside a diamond-shaped container of woven palm leaf pouch) as well as Malay kueh, of which some were cooked by Husni's wife Norshiha Hasbullah herself. Husni, hosting his third open house since being posted here said "Apart from strengthening relationship between the High Commission and the Malaysian community here, events like this also contributed towards promoting continuous ties between Malaysians and Singaporeans". Also present were Malaysian Deputy High Commissioner to Singapore, Kamsiah Kamaruddin and her spouse, Ambassador of Malaysia to Turkmenistan, Norman Muhamad. Among Singaporeans who attended include Zainul Abidin Rashid, currently the Ambassador to Kuwait/Foreign Ministry's Special Envoy to the Middle East, Ong Keng Yong, Singapore Ambassador-at-Large and Executive Deputy Chairman of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) and his wife, Irene. MASIS president Abraham Vergis, who came with his family to the open house said: "We look forward to this occasion every year where we get an opportunity to be with the Malaysian community. For us this is also a special year as this is the last Raya celebration for the high commissioner before he retires." Ong, who is former Singapore High Commission to Malaysia said, he and Husni Zai have been good friends for a long time, especially when serving in Kuala Lumpur. "At that time, Husni Zai was the deputy secretary-general in the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is rare for a deputy secretary-general to be appointed a high commissioner here, so we know each other and at least we meet each other twice a year over dinner. "Hari Raya (Eid al-Fitr) is a time we see each other to renew friendship and bond together..of course Malaysia and Singapore have a lot to do..," he added. Zainul said: "This is the highlight we always looked forward because the relationship between Singapore and the Malaysian High Commission has been very good for a long time. "So we always wait for an opportunity to meet and share our appreciation because the Hari Raya open house provides a good platform for Malaysians and Singaporeans to celebrate Hari Raya together." -- BERNAMA