Dr M: I shook 55,000 hands today
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Emmanuel Santa Maria Chin
Malay Mail15 June 2018
People queue to shake hands with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during the prime minister’s Aidilfitri open house in Putrajaya June 15, 2018. — Picture by Choo Choy MayMore
PUTRAJAYA, June 15 — An estimated 80,000 people visited the government’s Hari Raya open house at Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s official Sri Perdana residence, which ended at 4.30pm today.
Dr Mahathir, who was accompanied by wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah and members of his Cabinet, shook hands with thousands of well-wishers during a meet-and-greet session that lasted over three hours.
“I shook the hands of 55,000 people today; I was afraid my hand was going to get cramped,” joked Dr Mahathir.
He later thanked all who attended the open house, saying the event was also a celebration of victory for the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government.
The PM also expressed joy in seeing the multicultural crowd who turned up at the first government open house organised by the new Pakatan Harapan administration.
“I would like to take this opportunity to wish all a happy Hari Raya Aidilfitri, to Muslims and the non-Muslims.
“At the same time, we celebrate today as a victory, a victory of the people,” he said.
Dr Mahathir said the victory was sweeter considering that PH was initially thought to have only a slim chance of winning the election.
He also credited the unlikely victory to the strength of public support for his coalition.
“That is why we want to say thank you for all that voted PH, and we hope to fulfil all our promises,” he said.
In the open house today, crowds lined up to enter the official residences from as early as 8.30am.
Among ministers present were Lim Guan Eng, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin,Gobind Singh Deo, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Anthony Loke
Dr M overwhelmed by turnout to open house
Friday, 15 Jun 20181:31 PM MYT
by hemananthani sivanandam and loshana k shagar
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was overwhelmed by the massive turnout at the first Hari Raya open house by the Pakatan Harapan government.
He apologised for not being able to greet everyone personally, but said he was touched by the crowd who gathered as early at 7am at Seri Perdana to get a glimpse of him.
"Malaysians, regardless of race, turned out today, many in traditional Malay outfits.
"This reflects the multiracial spirit of Malaysians and is a sign of good future for the country," he said in a brief address here on Friday
"Some said 'I Love You', however there are no more placards saying 'I Love PM'.
"They did not bring them but they stood in queue, shook my hands and said 'I Love You'," he said, drawing hoots of laughter from the crowd.
Dr Mahathir, however, said he should not get sole credit.
He thanked the people who supported Pakatan despite the hurdles thrown by the previous government.
"This is due to democracy, people are free to choose their government. If it is no longer suitable or is outdated, you need to vote them out," he said.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/06/15/dr-m-overwhelmed-by-turnout-to-open-house/#zCjEhlfTBBFwTSf8.99
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