JOHOR BAHRU, April 23 — About 18,000 people from all walks of life took the opportunity to celebrate the second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri by attending the open house hosted by the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar at Istana Besar here today.

Visitors, including foreign tourists, were making a beeline up to the front gate as early as 7 am before they were allowed to go in at 9 am.

At 10 am, Sultan Ibrahim who was clad in a blue shirt arrived at the palace and spent over an hour exchanging greetings with his subjects.

The Johor Ruler was accompanied by Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, state secretary Tan Sri Dr Azmi Rohani and state police chief Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat.

Also present were Permaisuri of Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris Shah and their children, TunkuTemenggong of Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj, Tunku Panglima of Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj and Tunku Putera of Johor Tunku Abu Bakar Al-Haj.

A trader, Mohd Shafie Abdullah, 49, said he and his nine family members left Kluang at 6 am to reach the palace early.

"This is my first time here, and I am happy to be able to experience the excitement of attending the Johor Sultan’s open house,” he told reporters.

A 49-year-old housewife, Azalila A. Samad, said she and her family would never miss the opportunity to attend the open house hosted by Sultan Ibrahim.

"See for yourself, the atmosphere is so lively with various people from different backgrounds bringing their families. Although I am from Melaka, my family members are all from Johor.

"We love the Johor Sultan, and we make it a point to attend any event organised by him,” said Azalila, who came with her husband and their five children.

A geologist from Kuala Lumpur, Low Wan Ching, 35, who is visiting her uncle in Johor Bahru, said this was her first time attending an open house hosted by His Majesty.

She also felt very lucky to join in the festivities and enjoy the delicious food served at the event.

This is the Johor Ruler’s first Hari Raya gathering since the Covid-19 pandemic, after the last time it was held in 2019 at Istana Pasir Pelangi. — Bernama