KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 — There was plenty of laughter and cheer at Ancom Group’s Aidilfitri open house here yesterday.
Almost 1,000 people attended the annual event at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel’s Manhattan Ballroom.
Among the guests were 75 children from the Church of St Thomas More’s Learning Centre for Refugees and the Nur Qaseh Orphanage. As they mingled and enjoyed the food and drinks, Cha Cha the clown moved around the tables and made balloon animals for them.
The children had an innocence about them that was endearing.
Eight-year-old Myanmar refugee Merry Vung Ngai Nuam said she thoroughly enjoyed herself.
“I made some new friends and my favourite part was when the clown made me a flower from a balloon,” she said.
Her friend Cing Dieh, 10, also from Myanmar, was equally excited and nodded enthusiastically when asked if she had enjoyed the food and the entertainment.
Nur Qaseh resident Nour Arjuna,12, said: “I really liked the lamb but my favourite food is chicken rendang.”
Nour said he did not enjoy playing with balloons but was content watching other boys play with their balloon “swords”.
Another Nur Qaseh resident, Muhd Danish Haiqal looked dashing in a silk blue Baju Melayu and said his favourite part about Hari Raya was receiving new clothes.
“I visited my grandmother back home last week. It was wonderful to see her again,” said the 13-year-old.
Nineteen senior citizens from the Tanjung Seri Care Centre and the Al-Ikhlas Senior Citizen Care Centre also attended the open house.
Retired factory worker Sanusi Hussein, 64, from Tanjung Seri said he appreciated the invitation to the open house.
“When my wife passed away five years ago, I stayed on my own for a while before deciding to move to Tanjung Seri,” said the Klang native.
Sanusi who has no relatives said he appreciated the company of people his age at the home.
“Some of the others at Tanjung Seri are like me in that we have no other family members. Some of the others have children or relatives but have not been in touch with them for a long time.
“Such is life but being at the open house makes life a bit more eventful. You get to meet other people and make new friends in the spirit of the celebration,” he added.
For 62-year-old Al-Ikhlas resident Fatimah Ahmad, seeing the children enjoy themselves reminded her of happier times.
“They were all very sweet. One of them even came up to me and we had a chat. I think she is the same age as my granddaughter,” she said.
Originally from Melaka, the widow said it had been a while since she had heard from her family since moving into Al-Ikhlas four years ago.
“Perhaps they are busy. That is how life is but we should count our blessings for days like today,” she said.
The Aswara Percussion Ensemble from the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage’s music faculty performed classical and holiday music to entertain the guests. The band has been busy this Hari Raya.
Accordionist Fikri Hirom, 21, said this was his third Hari Raya performance.
“We performed in Semarang, Keramat during the fasting month, then once at Mid Valley and yesterday in Putrajaya for the Tourism Ministry,” he said.
Oud (a type of mandolin) player Iqbal Ramlan said the band decided to reduce their appearance fee at the open house after learning it would be hosting the children and senior citizens from the charitable organisations.
“We can always make back our money at weddings and other functions. In the spirit of Aidilfitri, this is the least we could do to give something back to society,” Iqbal said.
The children also received goodies and ‘duit raya’ by Ancom’s non-executive director Tan Sri Mohamed Al Amin Abdul Majid.
