KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 — Over 500 guests from all walks of life attended the Ancom Group of Companies’ Hari Raya open house at Berjaya Times Square Hotel yesterday.
Among the special guests were 140 children and senior citizens from Nur Qaseh and Saidatina Khadijah orphanage, Lovely Nursing Centre, Sri Tanjung and Al Ikhlas home for the elderly.
Guests were treated to a wide buffet spread as they were entertained by Cha Cha the Clown and magician Marcus Lim. The children and the elderly also received goodies and duit Raya.
Haziq Imran, 13, from Saidatina Khadijah said this was one of his best Raya celebrations.
“It was a memorable occasion as I got to spend time and play with my friends. I also got duit Raya,” he said.
Muhammad Syafiq Abdul Razak, nine, was overjoyed with his duit Raya. The orphan from Saidatina Khadijah said he was going to use the money to buy “plenty of sweets”.
Asmah Ibrahim, 56, said it was fun celebrating Hari Raya out of her Al Ikhlas home.
“It’s nice to celebrate and interact with new people. My friends from our home were laughing and smiling. We had a good time,” she said.
Mariam Abdul Rahman, 63, from Sri Tanjung home said this was her second open house this year. She said the affair rekindled memories of Hari Raya as a child.
“I received duit Raya and it made me feel like a kid all over again. It was fun,” she said.
Ancom Berhad non-independant non-executive chairman Datuk Johari Razak said the event was a testament to Malaysian culture.
“This is how we Malaysians celebrate our differences, by coming together regardless of creed and religion and enjoying the company of friends and family,” he said.
Johari added Ancom was committed to giving back to the community.
“We wish to share our blessings with the less fortunate and give them a chance to celebrate Raya with new friends.
“It is also a chance for them to enjoy some nice Raya delicacies,” he said.
Ancom Berhad non-independent non-executive director Tan Sri Mohamed Al Amin Abdul Majid said: “Large corporations are showing keen interest in helping local charities and those in need. This is an encouraging culture.
“We at Ancom aim to take it a step further by helping as many homes during other festivities, “ he said.
Also present were Johari’s wife Datin Zeila Junid, Ancom Bhd group managing director and Redberry chief executive officer Datuk Siew Ka Wei, Redberry chief operating officer and Malay Mail group editor-in-chief Datuk Wong Sai Wan, Genovasi Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Lee Yew Meng, Perbadanan Kota Buku chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghafar Mahmud and Karangkraf managing director Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacub.
