Madani Open House would enable people to meet the leaders: Permatang Pauh residents

PERMATANG PAUH - The Malaysia Madani Open House, which will be hosted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Permatang Pauh branch Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) will give the people an opportunity to meet and greet leaders of the country up close.

Housewife Marhamah Abdullah, 52, said the open house event where the people would be able to meet the leaders of the nation should be politicised; instead, it should be used as a platform to strengthen the relationship between leaders and the people.

She said it is normal for newly appointed leaders to hold events to connect with the people, and the people should also take the opportunity to benefit from such events regardless of race, religion, or political affiliations.

"If we want to politicise everything, what will happen to our country? Anwar is no stranger to Permatang Pauh.

"It can be said that the prime minister’s presence at the open house later will be like him returning home, and this will be the time when the Penang people, especially Permatang Pauh residents, can express anything to their leaders who will be present," she said when contacted by Sinar on Monday.

A resident here, Mohd Akmal Mohd Radzi, 34, said the event organised should not be misused for the interests of certain political parties but should be used as a platform to strengthen relations among the community in the spirit of celebrating Eid.

"We welcome programmes like this, but it is hoped that they are not for a specific purpose.

"Anwar himself came from here and was the Permatang Pauh representative for a while. We hope more developments can be brought by the government to this state, especially in solving the issues for the sake of Penang’s development," he said.

Permatang Pauh UiTM student Fatin Najwa Ab Malik, 19, said she was excited to have the opportunity to meet the leaders at the open house event to be held soon.

"I have only seen the prime minister through television and social media, but this ceremony might provide us a chance to meet with Anwar in person at our campus.

"I hope we will be able to get a selfie with the prime minister and other leaders. It will surely be a good memory for us as students here," she said.

The Malaysia Madani Open House with Prime Minister Anwar in Permatang Pauh UiTM will be held on May 6.

It was reported that some 15,000 Penangites were expected to attend the open house, which will take place between 11am and 2pm.